Holiday Foods To Avoid With Braces

The holidays are right around the corner, and we know many of our patients are looking forward to some time spent relaxing, reconnecting with family, and enjoying some delicious holiday treats. Unfortunately, though, many of the treats we love to indulge in during the holidays can pose a serious danger to braces. Hard, sticky, gooey, crunchy, and sugary foods can all damage teeth, brackets, and wires, and it’s easy to forget to be careful about diet during the holidays. To help you navigate the season without damaging your braces, here are a few foods to steer clear of during the coming months.

Holiday Foods That Are Bad for Braces

• Candy Canes: The site of a red and white cane is almost synonymous with the holiday season, but unfortunately, it's also a danger to braces. Candy canes can easily break brackets or get lodged in wires, so this year, it's best to avoid them.
• Pecan Pie: As delicious as a warm slice of pecan pie might be, the nuts and sugar in this dessert spell bad new for brackets and wires. Instead, opt for something softer, like cheesecake.
• Peanut Brittle & Peppermint Bark: While these may be delicious holiday staples, they're a nightmare for braces. Instead, go for something simple like soft milk chocolate paired with fruit.
• Taffy: Whether it's Laffy or saltwater, taffy easily gets stuck in wires or pulls of brackets. For the sake of your braces, it's best to steer clear of this one.
• Anything with Nuts: Brownies, pies, breads, or stuffings with nuts are bad news for braces. If possible, opt for the nut free version, and if not, skip it. 

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