Keep your braces in great shape for the holiday season. As the winter festivities sweep across our lands, protect your braces as you would any other time of year. With the advent of more treats bound to come your way, keep your oral health care in mind. If you are wearing any type of permanently fixed orthodontic braces, you should take the necessary steps to ensure they can continue to do their job.

Here are hints for what you can do to protect your precious teeth.

Because traditional braces may inhibit your regular eating patterns, avoid foods mentioned by your orthodontist that can get stuck in or damage your braces. A few holiday foods to avoid include:

– chewy candies such as taffy or chewing gum
– hard candies such as candy canes
– popcorn or corn on the cob
– apples
– various nuts and snacks
– hard cookies, peanut brittle, and crackers

Always remember to brush your teeth twice daily and floss your teeth once daily. Don’t forget to clean your retainer weekly. It’s also important to be careful with objects around your mouth which can damage your braces or your teeth. It is also important to visit regularly with your orthodontist.

If you have any oral accidents, or your braces have been damaged, please contact Fourth Dimension Orthodontics & Craniofacial Orthopedics as soon as possible. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Deji Fashemo, call our Dallas, Texas, office at 972-947-2000 or our Allen, Texas, office at 972-947-2200. We are always happy to help you with your questions and concerns. On behalf of our staff, we wish you a happy holiday season.