Taking Care of Braces During the Holidays
 Taking Care of Braces During the Holidays

Taking Care of Braces During the Holidays

It can be somewhat difficult to keep braces clean any time of year, but the holidays present some unique challenges. From Halloween to New Year’s, there are many sticky and sweet treats that can wreak havoc on braces. However, Orthodontist of Long Beach is dedicated to helping our dental patients take care of their braces during the holidays, and we have compiled the following information to help you avoid a dental emergency.

How Can I Be Proactive in Taking Care of My Braces?

One of the best ways to take care of your dental wear during the holidays is to be proactive. Planning ahead can keep your braces intact, clean, and help you avoid any uncomfortable sensations or dental emergencies. Orthodontist of Long Beach has compiled four helpful tips to help you be prepared for and enjoy the holiday season:

1. Make an Appointment at Orthodontist of Long Beach

Before the onset of the holiday season, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Hamid Barkhordar at Orthodontist of Long Beach. Your braces will be checked, ensuring that they are in good shape and ready to withstand various holiday sweets.

2. Make Sure You Have What You Need Before Traveling

Orthodontist of Long Beach recommends that you make sure you have what you need, especially if you are traveling. This includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, elastics (rubber bands), wax, a dental pick, mirror, retainer, and mouthguard.

3. Brush and Floss Between Meals

Brushing and flossing between meals can help keep your braces and mouth clean. Food will be less likely to get stuck in between brackets and wires, and it will remove sugar particles from your teeth that can lead to tooth decay and cavities.

4. Avoid Hard, Chewy, and Sticky Foods

When you have braces, avoiding hard, chewy, and sticky foods can go a long way in protecting your braces. Knowing what to eat and not eat can minimize your trips to our dental office in Long Beach, CA, making your holiday with friends and family much more enjoyable.

Are There Specific Holiday Foods I Should Avoid?

What you do and do not eat can have a large impact on your dental health and the structure and integrity of your braces. Avoiding hard, chewy, and sticky substances like the following are highly recommended and can help you circumvent a holiday dental disaster:

Though there are many more food items that can be included here, this list helps give you an idea of what kinds of foods might be harmful to your braces. If you are unsure about a particular food item, you can always contact our dental office in Long Beach or give our team a call at (562) 667-2973 for a quick refresher.

What if I Only Have a Little Bit of These Type Foods?

While it is ideal that anything hard, chewy, and sticky is avoided, we do realize that it is the holidays. If you are going to eat something you know has the potential to harm your dental wear, there are a few precautions to take. For example, if you want a candy cane, you can break or cut it into little pieces and suck on them rather than bite down hard. If you must chew, try doing so carefully and slowly. Remember, sometimes just getting a small taste can be enough to satisfy your craving.

How Can I Counteract the Negative Effects of Sugar?

While it is true that too much sugar can cause tooth decay and cavities, there are a couple of things you can do to minimize its effects, such as brushing and flossing your teeth between meals. If you are not at home or are traveling, having a dental pick and some mouthwash nearby can act as a quick fix until you can properly brush.

What if I Have a Problem with My Braces?

If you are going to eat anything hard, sticky, or chewy, it is best to eat it carefully and in smaller pieces. However, accidents can and do happen with braces. For example, if one of your brackets breaks or falls off, or there is any impact or damage to your braces, Orthodontist of Long Beach will treat it as a dental emergency.

Can I Wait to Be Seen if I Am Not in Pain?

It is important to remember that you may or may not experience pain with a dental emergency, but you do not have to be hurting to have one. If anything is wrong with your braces, it is best to contact our office in Long Beach, CA immediately.

How Can I Manage My Pain and Discomfort?

If there has been any sudden impact or damage to your braces and you are in pain, there are ways to manage your discomfort until you arrive at our dental office. Ice can help manage any swelling, and over-the-counter medications can assist in controlling your pain levels.

What if Orthodontist of Long Beach is Unavailable?

At Orthodontist of Long Beach, we do our very best to be available when you need us. However, if for any reason you are not able to reach us during the holidays and you are having a dental emergency while traveling, please go to the nearest emergency room or doctor’s office.

Have More Questions About Taking Care of Your Braces?

There are many ways you can be proactive in taking care of your braces from Orthodontist of Long Beach this year. For example, you can schedule an appointment to see Dr. Hamid Barkhordar ahead of the holiday season, make sure you have everything you need before traveling, brush and floss between meals, and avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods. If you would like to know more tips on what you can do to protect your braces, or if you have a question not addressed here, please do not hesitate to contact us or give us a call at (562) 667-2973!

You can have a safe and happy holiday season by being proactive. Schedule your appointment at Orthodontist of Long Beach to get your braces checked before the holidays begin by contacting us or giving us a call at (562) 667-2973!

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