Building Confidence With Dental Beauty

If this will be your first holiday wearing braces, you might not know what to expect. The holidays can be difficult, especially if you don't know how to care for your braces. Luckily, your new braces don't have to mean that you can't enjoy the holidays. In fact, with a little planning, you can still have a great time during the holidays, even with your braces. Here are some tips to help you get through the holidays with your braces intact, and without complications.

Decorate for the Holidays

If you've got metal braces on, it's time to decorate for the holidays. Your house is probably decorated, and so is your tree. So, why not decorate your braces too? Talk to your orthodontist about adding color-coordinated bands to your braces for the holidays. Color-coordinated bands will lend a festive appearance to your otherwise dull braces. Choose a variety of holiday colors so that you can change things up from time-to-time. Don't want to stop at the colorful bands? Talk to your orthodontist about adding some bling to your brackets too.

Bring Your Survival Kit With You

If you're going to be traveling for the holidays, don't forget to pack your survival kit. While you're packing your clothes, and everything else you'll need for the trip, take the time to gather the supplies you'll need for your braces too. You'll need your braces wax, a tube of pain relief gel, and a mouth guard. The braces wax will help prevent sores on the inside of your mouth. The pain relief gel will take care of any aches and pains you experience. The mouth guard will protect your mouth and your braces during those winter activities.

Know What Foods to Avoid

During the holidays, you're going to come face-to-face with a lot of yummy food options. Knowing which foods to indulge in, and which ones to avoid, will go a long way towards helping you avoid problems with your braces. To protect your braces, go ahead and indulge in all the traditional holiday foods such as turkey, ham, potatoes and pie. Stay away from things like candy canes, nuts, peanut brittle, and anything else that's sticky or hard.

Don't Forget to Brush

During the holidays, it can be easy to forget about things like brushing your teeth. However, the last thing you want is to return home with a new cavity or some added plaque because you forget to take care of your teeth. While you're away during the holidays, you still need to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day.

Contact a dental office, like Reed & Sahlaney Orthodontics, LLP, for more help.