Survive The Holidays With These Helpful Hints
There are so many reasons to celebrate this time of year, and that means more festive get-togethers with family and friends. It also means there’s usually a variety of yummy, tempting treats just waiting for you to dive right in.
Your ARCH orthodontist wants to you remind you to watch out for foods that might do damage to your metal braces or other orthodontic appliances. We’ve compiled just a few helpful holiday tips to help eating holiday meals and snacks better for you and your braces — no matter what age you are!
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Take It Slow
Even if you don’t have any type of braces or orthodontic work, it’s always a good idea to chew your food slowly and carefully. It helps to ensure your free from any choking hazards and it also helps with digestion. Cutting food into small, bite-size pieces is also a good idea when you’ve got braces to avoid the risk of breaking a bracket or wire.
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Don’t Go Nuts
As tempting as it may be to reach for Grandma’s big bowl of honey roasted peanuts during your holiday gathering, you should try to steer clear of all nuts and seeds when you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. Nuts, seeds, and even popcorn can do serious damage to your braces and leave you living in discomfort until they can be repaired.
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Watch Out For Stringy Foods
Depending on what holiday traditions your family follows there could be any number of delicious dishes on your menu of favorite foods. Just say no to stringy things like ooey, gooey mozzarella cheese or long strings of spaghetti twirled around your fork. This is especially important if you’re using a palatal expander.
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Try Not To Eat These!
Sticky, crunchy snacks that are bad for braces will do damage. Try not to eat the following treats and lower your risk of breakage or damage.
- Peanut Brittle
- Candy Canes
- Taffy
- Jelly Beans
- Pretzels
- Sticky cookies or brownies
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Go Ahead, Eat These!
We’ve been telling you all the things you should avoid if you’ve got braces, and you’re probably wondering what’s left to eat. There are plenty of yummy foods that you can feel safe eating with braces. Check them out!
- Pumpkin Pie
- Ice Cream
- Jell-O or Pudding
- Soft Chocolates
- Sliced Fruit
- Dinner Rolls
- Mashed Potatoes
- Boneless Turkey or Ham
We want to take a moment to wish you and your family a very merry holiday season from all of your friends at ARCH Orthodontics. We hope all of your celebrations are filled with joy and love.
If you have any questions about foods you can eat or ones you should avoid, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any one of our nine locations throughout the Greater Boston area. We’re here to help and we look forward to keeping your smile healthy in 2018 and beyond.
