Say YES to Brushing More Often
If you have braces this winter, you may find an extra challenge from tempting treats that could damage your teeth and your braces. While you’re enjoying this holiday season, Wafelbakker Anderson Orthodontics wants you to say “Yes” to brushing more often and flossing at least daily. With all the sugary treats that surround the holidays, your teeth could develop plaque — a sticky substance that can erode the tooth enamel and cause cavities. That’s the last thing you want in the middle of your braces treatment! An easy way to fight that plaque is to up your oral hygiene game and brush after you eat your sweet snacks as well as after meals. If you know you will be away from home for an extended period of time, take along your toothbrush and toothpaste so you can step into a restroom after eating to brush your teeth.
Say “NO” to These Holiday Food Favorites
At Wafelbakker Anderson Orthodontics, we know you’ll be tempted by an assortment of holiday favorites. But fight the temptation to eat any hard, crunchy or sticky foods that could damage your braces. We know you don’t want to visit our Morgan Hill office in an emergency because you broke a wire or pulled off a bracket with that candy cane or caramel you “had” to have! With a bit of thought and some simple preparation, you can enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas while ensuring the best possible outcome for your smile. Here are some of those holiday favorites you should avoid:
- Candy canes or other hard candy
- Hard cookies
- Chips or hard crackers
- Pecan pie or any pies with crunch toppings or crust
- Caramels and toffee
- Peanut brittle
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Hard pretzels
- Meat on the bone
- Caramel apples
- Corn on the cob
- Raw vegetables (you can cut these up into bite-size pieces)
- Hard or tough bread (break into bite-size pieces)
- Casseroles that include crunchy fillings or toppings
Say “YES” To These Foods & Snacks That Won’t Harm Your Braces
While it may seem like you cannot enjoy any of your favorite holiday foods like sticky pies, hard-crusted rolls and chewy candies and other sweets, there are in fact many foods and snacks you can enjoy while wearing braces. Below are a few healthy alternatives orthodontist approves of even with braces bonded to your teeth:
- Soft, whole wheat breadsticks and any soft breads without hard crusts
- Soft cheeses including holiday cheese balls and logs (without the nuts)
- Natural Greek yogurt topped with warmed honey and berries
- Jell-o and fruit salads made with soft fruits like oranges, nectarines & tangerines
- Cinnamon applesauce
- Potato pancakes topped with sour cream
- Ham, turkey, pot roast
- Mashed potatoes
- Stuffing
- Gravy
- Cakes
- Soft cookies
- Pudding
- Pumpkin and custard pies (no crunchy crust!)
- Deli meats
- Olives
- Cooked veggies
- Soft breads
- Cheesecake
- Green bean casserole
- Cranberry sauce
- Hot chocolate
Say “YES” To Creating An Oral Care Kit
With all these amazing treats you will still enjoy throughout the holiday season, the friendly dental staff at Wafelbakker Anderson Orthodontics suggests you create an oral care kit for your teeth and braces while you’re on-the-go! This kit will give you the tools you need to brush after eating sugary snacks as well as after meals and floss at least once every day. The wax can be used in the case you do break or damage a bracket or wire and need to protect your mouth until you can get in to see the orthodontists at one of our four offices. Your kit should contain:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dental Floss
- Mouthwash
- Orthodontic Wax