Thriving with Braces During the Festive Season

The festive season is all about family, food and celebrating together. If you are wearing braces, you can still enjoy Christmas and New Year without worry. With a little planning, you will keep your appliance safe, your teeth sparkling and your treatment on track. Here is your friendly guide to what to eat, what to avoid and how to care for your braces during the busiest days of the year.

Festive foods to avoid with braces

Some treats are more trouble than they are worth when you have brackets, wires or attachments. Avoid these common culprits to prevent broken brackets, bent wires and sticky residues that are hard to clean.

• Toffees, caramels and fudge: sticky textures can pull at brackets and lodge around wires.
• Hard sweets and boiled sweets: biting can snap a bracket, and lingering sugar raises decay risk.
• Nuts and nut brittles: whole almonds, hazelnuts and brittle can crack a bracket; choose ground or finely chopped if needed.
• Popcorn: kernels and husks get trapped and can irritate gums or dislodge components.
• Hard gingerbread, biscotti and crusty bread: anything very crunchy can stress your appliance; soften with warm drinks or opt for softer versions.
• Chewy sweets and gummy candies: they stretch around brackets and are difficult to brush away.
• Candy canes: they seem festive, but they are both hard and sugary - skip them or let them fully dissolve without biting if you must have one.
• Pork crackling and very tough meats: ripping or pulling motions can dislodge a wire.
• Whole apples and raw carrots: healthy, but biting into them is risky; slice them thinly if you want a portion.

If you are wearing clear aligners like Invisalign^®, avoid eating while trays are in and keep hot liquids away from aligners, as heat can warp plastic.

Festive foods and drinks you can enjoy

There is still plenty of delicious Christmas food that is braces friendly. Aim for soft textures, bite sized portions and balanced choices.

• Roast turkey or chicken without the skin, soft stuffing and gravy to keep things moist.
• Soft roast vegetables, mash, parsnips and Brussels sprouts cooked until tender.
• Pigs in blankets cut into small bites rather than eaten whole.
• Flaky fish, salmon and veggie wellington with soft pastry.
• Yorkshire puddings and soft rolls; tear into small pieces instead of biting through crusts.
• Cheese boards with softer varieties and thinly sliced crackers; avoid very hard rinds and big crunchy crackers.
• Desserts like trifle, cheesecake, pavlova with soft meringue, sponge puddings and custard.
• Mince pies if the pastry is soft and served warm; eat in small pieces and chew with your back teeth.
• Chocolate that melts easily, such as a small piece of plain or milk chocolate; let it melt rather than bite through thick chunks.
• Non alcoholic choices like water, milk and warm drinks that are not too sweet.

On the drinks front, be mindful of sugar and acidity. Sparkling wine, cider and cola are acidic and can soften enamel. If you choose them, keep to short bursts with meals, sip water after and do not swish around braces. For aligner wearers, remove trays before drinking anything other than cool water, then brush or rinse before reinserting.

Smart holiday drinking tips with braces

• Choose still water as your go-to between festive drinks.
• Use a straw for acidic or sugary options to reduce contact with teeth.
• Keep fizz and fruit juices to mealtimes, then rinse with water afterwards.
• Avoid ice chewing, which can damage brackets and attachments.

Daily brace care that fits the season

You can keep your routine simple and effective, even when your schedule changes.

• Brush after meals: carry a travel toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste; if you cannot brush right away, rinse with water first.
• Floss daily: use interdental brushes or floss threaders around brackets and under wires.
• Fluoride support: a nightly fluoride mouthwash can help protect enamel during treat heavy weeks.
• Orthodontic wax: keep a small pack with you; apply to any area that rubs.
• Pain relief for adjustments: mild tenderness is normal; stick to soft foods for a day and use over the counter analgesia if needed, following the packet guidance.
• Aligner essentials: if you wear Invisalign^®, carry your case, chewies and a small cleaning brush. Clean trays with cool water and a recommended cleaner, not hot water.

If your treatment includes remote progress checks, tools like Dental Monitoring can be especially helpful over the holidays, as they allow your Specialist Orthodontist to keep an eye on your progress without frequent visits.

Managing braces care on busy social days

Big days often mean buffet food, travel and later nights. A few habits will make a big difference.

• Pre-plan your plate: start with soft proteins and veggies before sampling small amounts of sweets.
• Cut everything small: bite sized pieces reduce the risk of dislodging a bracket.
• Rinse on the go: if you cannot brush, swish with water after eating; sugar free gum may be acceptable for some patients, but ask your clinician first.
• Pack a mini kit: toothbrush, interdental brushes, orthodontic wax, lip balm and pain relief.
• Set a phone reminder: aligner wearers can set timers to maintain 20+ hours of wear; fixed brace patients can set a nightly reminder for flossing or mouthwash.
• Nightly reset: no matter how late it is, brush thoroughly along the gumline and around brackets; aligner wearers should brush teeth and trays before bed.

What to do if something goes wrong

A minor issue does not need to spoil your holiday.

• Loose bracket still on the wire: leave it in place, dry the area and secure with a small ball of wax for comfort.
• Poking wire: use the eraser end of a pencil or the back of a spoon to gently tuck it in, then cover with wax.
• Soreness or ulcers: saltwater rinses and wax usually help; avoid spicy or acidic foods until healed.
• Aligner cracked or lost: wear the previous tray to maintain position and contact the clinic for advice; do not jump ahead without guidance.

If you are local and need support, contact the team at Aberdeen Orthodontics for triage and advice. Urgent issues are prioritised, and many concerns can be settled quickly with practical guidance.

Aligners, parties and stain control

Mulled wine, curry and richly coloured sauces can stain elastic ties on fixed braces and can tint aligners if worn while drinking. A few simple tactics help.

• Remove aligners for anything other than cool water and store them in a case.
• Rinse or brush soon after colourful foods.
• Choose lighter sauces when possible, and keep bold pigments to mealtimes rather than frequent grazing.

Keeping your smile on track into the New Year

The goal is progress, not perfection. If you enjoy a treat, follow it with water, then brush. Keep aligner wear consistent, focus on soft foods after any tender days and use wax for comfort. If you have a question, reach out to your orthodontic team for personalised advice.

If you are planning treatment in the coming year, our Specialist Orthodontists in Aberdeen offer discreet options and flexible finance. You can explore choices such as clear aligners and ceramic braces, and take advantage of digital scanning and remote check-ins that suit busy lives.

Summary

You can absolutely enjoy Christmas and New Year with braces. Skip very hard or sticky treats, choose soft festive favourites, and keep a simple travel kit for quick clean ups. Rinse after sugary or acidic drinks, brush before bed and use wax for any rubs. If a bracket loosens or a wire pokes, secure it with wax and book a repair. With a few smart swaps and habits, you will protect your appliance, care for your teeth and step into January with your treatment right on track. If you need guidance or are ready to start your own journey, the team at Aberdeen Orthodontics on George Street is here to help.