Patients who travel away from their orthodontist for the holidays need to know how to protect their braces from damage and breakage. Dealing with orthodontic problems during the holidays can be annoying, and painful and set patients back on their path of orthodontic treatment. Eating sticky foods, avoiding safety measures, and forgetting to floss can lead you to an extra visit to the orthodontist after the holidays are over. Bailey Orthodontics wants to provide our patients with tips to deal with orthodontic problems during the holidays.
Stubborn Poking Wires
Even if you are careful, wires can still become detached and poke your cheeks or gums. Poking wires can make it difficult to eat or talk but can be dealt with when you return and orthodontists are in the office. If the wire poking is too severe and uncomfortable, you may be able to alleviate the pain by placing orthodontic wax over the area that is poking.
You may also be able to use a pair of tweezers to maneuver the wire back into place or the eraser end of a pencil to push the wire away from the cheek or gum where it is poking. If you cannot get the wire back into the proper place and orthodontic wax isn’t helping with the pain you can use a pair of sterilized fingernail clippers and clip off the loose area of the wire. This should only be done as a last resort and you should still call your orthodontist after the holidays to have them replace the clipped wire.
Even over the holidays, some offices will be open and can walk you through a temporary fix for orthodontic problems during the holidays until you can be seen.
Broken Brackets
Eating holiday foods that are hard, sticky, or crunchy can cause your brackets to snap or pop off. Dealing with broken brackets during the holidays can make eating difficult and needs to be remedied by an orthodontist. Some offices may have emergency openings that they can fit you into if need be. Fixing brackets can be a simple appointment for you if your braces have been cared for properly.
When a bracket pops off, if it is not causing you immense pain, you can wait to get into your orthodontist. Make sure to hang onto the bracket and don’t lose it so that it can be reattached at your next visit. Patients can also apply wax to sharp edges or parts that may cause pain.
How Best To Avoid Broken Parts
During the holiday many foods are tough for braces. If you eat too many sticky foods, you could find yourself with multiple broken brackets. Some specific foods you should avoid during the holidays are:
- Caramel Popcorn
- Large Vegetables (carrots, celery, broccoli)
- Pretzels
- Nuts
- Corn on the Cob
- Fudge
- Pecan Pie
You can eat soft versions of these foods or swap large fruits or vegetables for ones that are chopped up in smaller pieces. Many Thanksgiving and Christmas foods are softer, including mashed potatoes, cheese balls, green beans, oranges and other seasonal fruits, soft cookies, and pie. Eating the right foods will save you from orthodontic problems during the holidays. Going to a family member’s house for a holiday meal? Ask the host to adjust your plate, or ensure that there are braces-friendly options available for you.
Caring For Braces And Teeth During The Holidays
With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth regularly. Proper flossing in between brackets, wires, and teeth will help keep your teeth from white spots and cavities. Brushing twice a day removes build-up and helps your teeth stay sparkly while preventing other oral decay.
Flossing often gets overlooked during busy times but it can be detrimental to those with braces. Flossing picks, water picks, or waxed floss can make the process of flossing easier to maneuver around your hardware. No matter what hardware or brackets you have, flossing and cleaning around the tiny squares will help you have healthy teeth.
If you want to avoid multiple dental or orthodontic visits, the best course of action is to clean your teeth. Proper toothpaste, flossing practices, and mouthwash will help you make your cleaning routine easier and avoid orthodontic problems during the holidays.
Orthodontic Problems During The Holidays With Bailey Orthodontics
Bailey Orthodontics is the top orthodontist for your braces or Invisalign. Each patient that comes into our office will feel welcomed and comfortable. Dr. Bailey helps to improve the smiles of patients of all ages and can help fix any damage to your braces.
During the holidays, our offices may not be open but we can help accommodate certain emergencies. Follow the above tips to deal with orthodontic problems during the holidays before calling our office. If you want to take charge of your health, improve your confidence, and have a bright smile, contact our office today!
