Braces And Aligners Over The Holidays: Keeping Your Smile On Track

Yes, you can eat Christmas favourites with braces or aligners!

You do not need to miss out. Focus on texture, choose softer options and make a few smart swaps so you can enjoy your plate with confidence.

Great choices for braces

• Soft roast meats with gravy
• Yorkshire puddings
• Roast potatoes, parsnips and vegetables cooked until tender
• Stuffing that is soft rather than crispy
• Mince pies without large nut pieces, served warm and cut into small bites
• Cheesecake, trifle and custard-based desserts

Take extra care or avoid

• Toffees, caramels and sticky puddings that can pull at brackets
• Whole nuts and nut brittles
• Very hard crusts, crackling and pork scratchings
• Candy canes and boiled sweets
• Popcorn kernels

For clear aligners, remove trays before eating and store them safely in your case. Enjoy your meal, rinse your mouth, brush if possible, then pop aligners back in promptly. If brushing is tricky at a party, swish with water or chew sugar-free gum briefly, then brush as soon as you get home.

Holiday routines that keep treatment moving

A little planning makes busy days easy. Patients often tell us these habits make the biggest difference.

• Pack a mini kit - travel toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, interdental brushes, floss or floss threaders, and mouthwash. Add orthodontic wax for braces or an aligner case for Invisalign^®.
• Keep wear time high - aligners should be worn 20 to 22 hours per day. Time out for meals is fine, just replace trays straight after.
• Cut food into small bites - slice apples, crusty rolls and tougher meats. Chew with your back teeth if you have braces.
• Stay hydrated - water helps rinse away sugars and food debris and is aligner safe.
• Brush twice daily, ideally three times when snacking is frequent. Interdental brushes are especially helpful around brackets and wires.

If you are unsure about a festive favourite, message us through your Dental Monitoring app and we will happily advise!

Managing aligners or braces during parties and travel

Celebrations bring variety, which is part of the fun. These tips help you stay comfortable wherever you are.

At parties

Stick to clear or sugar-free drinks if aligners are in. Coloured, fizzy or sugary drinks can stain trays and increase decay risk. The easiest option is to remove aligners, place them in the case, enjoy your drink, then rinse and replace.

Dining out

Look for softer mains and sides. Sauces and gravy can make chewing easier with braces.

Travelling

Bring your next aligner set and elastics if prescribed. Keep a spare aligner case in your hand luggage. For braces, carry wax, a compact mirror and clean nail clippers to trim any long elastic ends if they irritate you.

What if you have a problem while the clinic is closed?

True emergencies are rare and most issues can be managed at home until we reopen.

Common fixes

• Sore spot or rubbing - dry the area and apply orthodontic wax. Warm saltwater rinses can soothe irritation.
• Loose bracket - leave it in place if comfortable, cover with wax and avoid hard or sticky foods until we see you.
• Poking wire - gently nudge it flat with the rubber end of a pencil or cover with wax. If it is very long and catching, carefully trim the very end with clean nail clippers and contact us when we reopen.
• Lost or cracked aligner - return to the previous tray if the current one is unusable. If you are close to the next change, message us via the app for advice.

If you experience significant pain or facial swelling, seek urgent dental care. Otherwise, message us through Dental Monitoring and we will guide you and arrange a review if needed.

How the Dental Monitoring app keeps you connected

Dental Monitoring is your holiday helper. Weekly scans allow your Specialist Orthodontist to check progress without extra clinic visits.

Over the festive period, it helps you to

• Stay on schedule with confirmation of aligner changes
• Catch issues early with clinician-reviewed alerts
• Get quick answers about attachments, rubbing wires or food questions

Many patients say it is reassuring to know we are keeping an eye on progress while they enjoy time with family.

Your festive checklist

• Enjoy soft, brace-friendly foods and cut the rest into small pieces
• Remove aligners to eat or drink anything other than water and replace promptly
• Keep your kit handy, including wax and your aligner case
• Complete Dental Monitoring scans on time and message us with questions
• Use quick fixes if something rubs and contact us when we reopen

Keep your smile moving with Helix House

With a little planning, you can enjoy every celebration and keep your treatment on track. The Specialist Orthodontists and friendly team at Helix House are here to support you through Christmas and beyond, with digital monitoring and flexible appointments that make life easier. If you are ready to start, or want personalised holiday advice for braces and clear aligners, book your free consultation and let us help you plan a confident start to the New Year.