The holidays are almost here, and with it comes some highly anticipated foods and treats. If you are wearing braces, however, there are some foods that you have to avoid so that you don’t damage your braces. As the leading orthodontists in Arlington Heights and Deerfield, IL, the experts at Jarosz & Valente Orthodontics have put together this list of foods that you should avoid so that you don’t have an orthodontic emergency ruin your holidays. No worries, you can survive the holidays because we’ve also provided some substitute treats you can enjoy!
Food to Avoid Over the Holidays
So let’s get the “don’ts” out of the way. Holiday sweets and treats are tempting, but you don’t want to put your orthodontic treatment plan at risk, so you should not eat the following foods:
Hard foods such as nuts, hard candies, hard pie crusts, pecan pie, holiday bark, and meat on the bone.
Sticky or chewy foods such as caramel, toffee, and caramel apples.
Crunchy foods like chips, pretzels, ice, and thin pizza crust.
Foods to Enjoy Over the Holidays
Here is your holiday treats survival list so that you can celebrate some holiday cheer:
- Soft cookies
- Jello
- Pudding
- Cake
- Pumpkin pie (avoid the crust edge if it’s too hard)
- Hot chocolate
- Eggnog
- Ice Cream
All of these desserts are easy to eat while wearing braces and will not damage your brackets or wires.
Maintain Your Routine
It’s easy to get out of your routine over the holidays because you are likely sleeping in, celebrating with family and friends, and maybe traveling too. Plaque is the “Grinch” of the season, so make sure you keep up with your brushing and flossing routine to ensure your mouth is healthy and you don’t end up with tooth decay or white spots under your braces.
Contact Your Arlington Heights and Deerfield Orthodontist to Schedule an Appointment!
If you have any questions about your braces during the holidays or you’d like to schedule an appointment, contact us. Our orthodontic experts and staff will be more than happy to assist you. If you do experience an orthodontic emergency, please call our office immediately so that we can repair the damage before it impacts your treatment plan.
If you are looking for orthodontic care, including braces in Arlington Heights and Deerfield, contact us. We would love to help you get started on your journey to a beautiful and healthy smile.
From all of us at Jarosz & Valente Orthodontics, have a wonderful holiday season!