When it comes time to straighten your smile, you have options that can suit your lifestyle, goals, and cosmetic needs. You may know them as metal braces, ceramic braces, or Invisalign. Wearing braces can give you a beautiful smile, but it comes with some challenges, especially during the holiday season.

Brush Your Teeth Regularly

It is not uncommon for braces wearers to not brush their teeth thoroughly enough each day, but it is absolutely vital that you brush at least twice per day. If possible, brush your teeth after breakfast and dinner. Flossing is also very important, so be sure to floss at least once per day. A water flosser can be a useful tool for those who find traditional flossing difficult with braces.

When eating foods that contain sugar this holiday season, be sure to brush your teeth immediately afterward. Sugar feeds the bacteria that cause cavities, so the longer it sits on your teeth, the more opportunity it has to cause decay. If you can’t get to a toothbrush right away, rinsing your mouth with water is better than nothing.

If you experience any pain or discomfort from your braces this Christmas season, be sure to speak with your dentist as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Some pain is normal when you’re wearing braces, but if the pain becomes intense or does not subside after a few days, it’s important to address the problem before it gets worse.

Sing Carols Without Damaging Braces

If you’re playing holiday music or singing along with your favorite Christmas carols this year, make sure to do it without damaging your braces. Stirring the eggnog or other holiday drinks may be tempting, but the hard-bristled edge of your toothbrush will damage the metal brackets on your braces if you brush up against them too hard.

Avoid Sugary Treats

Eating sugarcoated nuts and other treats is a tradition around this time of year. Unfortunately, sugary foods can be bad for your oral health as it feeds the bacteria in your mouth that cause tooth decay. The bacteria also produce acid that wears away at the enamel on your teeth, causing cavities, so you’ll want to avoid these kinds of foods as much as possible.

Visit Your Orthodontist/ Dentist 

Make sure you visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleaning appointments while you’re wearing braces. Your dentist will be able to monitor your teeth to make sure your teeth are developing correctly and aren’t being damaged while wearing braces. Plus, if there’s any damage to your teeth while you’re wearing braces, the dentist can repair it early before it gets worse.

Follow all of your orthodontist’s instructions to the word. When it comes to the care of your braces, there’s no room for error. If you accidentally bend a wire or lose a rubber band, call the office as soon as you can to schedule an appointment to have it repaired to avoid having to make an emergency trip to the dentist during the holidays.

Consult an experienced specialist like Omana Orthodontics today if you need more tips for taking care of your oral health while wearing braces.