Oldham Orthodontics
Christmas is a time for seeing friends, feasting on festive food and enjoying some down time from work. But if you wear orthodontic braces, you might be wondering what you can and can’t do – and more importantly, what you can and can’t eat. Wearing braces shouldn’t be overly restrictive, but to ensure your teeth stay in tip top shape there are some things to bear in mind:
If you’re wearing metal braces, ceramic braces or lingual braces, you’ll know that eating hard foods can damage your brackets. Christmas is no different – so steer clear of the candy canes, chocolate toffees and chewy sweets!
Love it or hate it, red and white wine can have a significant impact on your teeth. While it’s okay to have the odd tipple, it contains tannins that can cause significant staining. Try and drink water alongside your wine and remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time.
Did you know that eating a small cube of cheese after a meal can help reduce oral acidity? This neutralises the PH of the inside of your mouth and helps reduce tooth decay. But before you reach for the cheeseboard, remember to choose one that isn’t too hard.
If you’re wearing clear aligners, it’s important to take them out when you eat and to clean them at regular intervals. This prevents food from sticking to them which can press against your teeth and cause decay.
The last thing you want is a mid-holiday brace disaster with no orthodontist on call or emergency contact. Check with your practitioner when they are open and ask about who to call in an emergency. There’d be nothing worse than missing out on turkey and Christmas pud because of a broken brace!
At Oldham Orthodontics, we work with people in and around Oldham to give them smiles to be proud of. If you’re looking to straighten your smile or to find out our Christmas opening hours, please call 0161 622 0987.
