Festive Braces Care: Keeping Smiles Merry for All Ages This Holiday Season

Braces-safe festive treats and drinks

You do not have to skip the fun to protect your brace! Choose textures that are soft, not sticky or hard.

Soft party picks:

Cheese boards, quiche, sausage rolls without tough pastry edges, soft sandwiches, hummus with soft pitta, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, stuffing balls if not crispy, and tender turkey cut into small pieces.

Puddings that play nice:

Trifle, mousse, pavlova without chewy meringue shards, sponge cakes without nuts, mince pies served warm and cut into small pieces, custard, soft panettone, and ice cream.

Chocolates to choose:

Plain or filled soft-centre chocolates and chocolate mousse. Let chocolate soften in your mouth before biting.

Braces-safe sips:

Still water is best. Milk and unsweetened tea are gentle on enamel. If you want bubbles, choose sugar free sparkling water with meals and rinse with water after.

If you wear Invisalign^® or other clear aligners, remove your aligners before every bite or sip of anything other than cool water. Store them in a case, brush your teeth or at least rinse, then put them back in promptly to maintain wear time.

Festive foods kids with braces should avoid

Some holiday favourites can break brackets or bend wires. Share this list with children and teens so everyone knows the plan.

Hard or crunchy:

Toffees, boiled sweets, candy canes, nut brittles, whole nuts, crackling, crusty baguette, tough pizza crusts and raw carrots. Apples should be cut into thin slices if needed.

Sticky or chewy:

Caramels, gummy sweets, jelly sweets, wine gums, chewy meringue, Turkish delight, sticky toffee pudding chunks, and popcorn of any kind, including toffee popcorn.

Very sugary and acidic:

Cola, energy drinks, fruit juice sipped over time, mulled wine and flavoured ciders. These increase the risk of white marks around brackets. If chosen, keep them to mealtimes, use a straw where appropriate and rinse with water after.

A simple rule for kids and adults alike - if it sticks to your fingers or snaps loudly, it is not braces friendly.

Easy hygiene wins during Christmas and New Year

Routines can slip when travelling or hosting. Keep these habits simple and achievable for every age.

Twice daily brushing:

Brush for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste. Angle the brush around brackets and along the gumline. Aligner wearers should brush before reinserting trays.

Midday mini clean:

Carry a travel toothbrush or interdental brushes for quick freshen ups after meals. If brushing is not possible, rinse with water.

Interdental cleaning:

Use floss, floss threaders or interdental brushes around brackets and under wires. Aligner wearers should clean between teeth daily to reduce plaque build up on trays.

Hydration helps:

Sip still water throughout the day. It rinses sugars away and keeps aligners clearer.

Aligners checklist:

Clean trays with a soft brush and cool water, never hot water. Stick to your prescribed wear time. If aligners are removed for a party, set a phone reminder to put them back in.

Parents, a small brace care kit in your bag makes a big difference - travel toothbrush, toothpaste, interdental brushes, orthodontic wax, compact mirror and a retainer or aligner case.

Looking after aligners at parties and family gatherings

• Always use the case: Napkins and pockets lead to lost trays. Place aligners straight into their case when removed.
• Time it right: Wear aligners for the full prescribed hours. Plan meals and treats into a single window rather than grazing all day.
• Rinse and replace: After eating, rinse your mouth and aligners with cool water and replace promptly. Brush as soon as you can.

If you are exploring options or need expert support locally, our team provides clear aligners alongside fixed appliances in one place, tailored to your smile goals.

What to do if a bracket or wire breaks

It can happen, especially with festive foods! Here is how to stay comfortable until we see you:

Poking wire:

Dry the area and place a small piece of orthodontic wax over the end. If a wire has slipped, you may gently trim the very end with clean nail scissors only if it is safe and you feel confident. Then contact us to arrange a repair.

Loose bracket:

If it is still on the wire, leave it in place and cover with wax if it rubs. Avoid hard or chewy foods and call the practice for advice.

Lost elastic module:

This can usually wait a short time if you are comfortable. Contact us to book a fix.

Pain or ulcers:

Rinse with warm salt water, use orthodontic wax over rubbing areas and consider an over the counter pain reliever as directed.

Family strategies that make celebrations easier

These small plans help everyone enjoy the season.

• Cut and serve: Slice tougher foods into bite sized pieces and remove crusts or bones.
• Buffet savvy: Create a soft options plate first so children do not head straight for hard sweets.
• Dessert swaps: Offer mousse, trifle or custard instead of sticky toffee or nut based treats.
• Drink smart: Keep a jug of water on the table and encourage sips between festive drinks.
• Routine reminders: Set phone reminders for aligner wear, brushing and switching to the next set if due.

When to call your dental team

Contact us if you have persistent pain, swelling, a wire you cannot manage with wax, a bracket that has come off completely, broken retainers or lost aligners. Early contact helps prevent treatment delays. The team at Pallant Advanced Dentistry is here to provide calm, practical support throughout the holiday period.

Summary - celebrate with confidence

The best festive brace care is simple. Choose soft, non sticky foods, keep sweet and acidic drinks to mealtimes, clean as you go and protect your appliances with a little planning. If something goes wrong, use wax, keep the area clean and contact your dental team for advice.

If you would like tailored guidance or a seasonal check in, Pallant Advanced Dentistry offers advanced, patient focused care for smiles of all ages. We look forward to helping you enjoy the festive season while keeping your treatment comfortable and on track.