Braces and Aligners Through the Holidays: What to Eat, How to Travel, and How to Smile in Every Photo
The first holiday season in braces or aligners comes with a lot of questions. Can I eat the pie? What happens if a bracket pops off at Grandma’s house? Do I have to wear my aligners in the family photo?
Here at Matza Orthodontics in Boca Raton, Dr. Barry Matza and Dr. Heather Ercolano have helped families through a lot of holiday seasons. Dr. Matza has more than 30 years of experience as a Board Certified orthodontist, and we can tell you this much: treatment and the holidays get along just fine with a little planning.
The Holiday Food Guide: Yes, Maybe, Skip
The rules are a little different for braces and aligners. With braces, the concern is food that’s hard, sticky, or chewy enough to bend a wire or knock off a bracket. With aligners, you take your trays out to eat, so almost anything goes. The catch is brushing before the trays go back in, and not sipping anything but water while they’re in.
This table is written mainly for braces wearers. Aligner patients: eat it, then brush.
| Yes | Maybe | Skip |
|---|---|---|
| Roast turkey, cut into small pieces | Corn on the cob (cut the kernels off first) | Caramels, taffy, and chewy candy |
| Mashed potatoes and gravy | Dinner rolls and crusty bread (tear into small bites) | Candy canes and hard candy |
| Sweet potato casserole | Pecan pie (the nuts are the risk; go slow) | Peanut brittle and toffee |
| Stuffing and soft casseroles | Raw veggies (cut small and chew with back teeth) | Whole nuts and popcorn |
| Mac and cheese | Apples (slice them, don’t bite in) | Ice cubes |
| Pumpkin pie and cheesecake | Holiday cookies (soft ones only) | Sticky popcorn balls |
| Cranberry sauce | Ribs and wings (take the meat off the bone) | Chewing on pens, bottle caps, or anything that isn’t food |
A good rule of thumb for braces: if you have to bite down hard or pull with your teeth, cut it up first or pass.
Braces vs. Aligners: Holiday Tips Side by Side
| Yes | Braces | Clear Aligners |
|---|---|---|
| At the big meal | Cut food into small pieces and chew with your back teeth. Skip anything hard or sticky. | Take trays out, put them in their case (never a napkin), and enjoy the meal. |
| After eating | Rinse with water, then brush and floss when you can. Food loves to hide around brackets. | Brush, or at least rinse well, before trays go back in. Trapped food and sugar can sit against your teeth. |
| Drinks | Water is best. Go easy on soda and sweet cider. | Only plain water with trays in. Take them out for everything else. |
| Wear time | Nothing to track. | Holiday days get long. Set a phone reminder so you still hit the wear time your orthodontist gave you. |
| Travel kit | Travel toothbrush, floss threaders or picks, orthodontic wax, and any rubber bands you’ve been prescribed. | Your case, your current trays, your previous set as a backup, a travel toothbrush, and a small toothpaste. |
| If something goes wrong | A loose bracket or poking wire? Cover it with wax and call the office. | Lost or cracked tray? Call the office before switching sets on your own. |
| Holiday photos | Smile big. Braces are part of the story, and those “before” photos are fun to look back on. | You can pop trays out for a few quick photos, then put them right back in. |
Travel Tips From the Matza Orthodontics Team
Lots of Boca Raton families spend the holidays on the road or on a plane. A little prep keeps treatment on track.
Pack your orthodontic supplies in your carry-on, not your checked bag. If your luggage takes a detour, your aligners shouldn’t go with it.
Save the office number in your phone before you leave: 561.368.3480. Most little problems can be handled with a quick call and a bit of wax until you’re back home.
If you’re wearing aligners, bring the next set only if we’ve told you it’s okay to switch while you’re away. Otherwise, keep wearing your current trays and check in when you’re back.
Holiday scheduling fills up fast, so book your next visit before you leave town!
Smiling in Holiday Photos
We hear this one a lot, especially from teens and adults who are new to treatment. Here’s our honest take.
Braces are nothing to hide. Plenty of great smiles started with a mouth full of brackets, and a big, real smile in braces looks a lot better than a tight-lipped one. Brush before the photos so nothing’s stuck where it shouldn’t be, and you’re ready.
Aligner patients have it easy. Pop the trays out for the photo, then back in. Just don’t let “a few photos” turn into the whole afternoon.
Braces off and a brand new smile! There’s nothing better than seeing the confidence that comes with the final result. From start to finish, every step of the journey leads to moments like this—and they never get old. At Matza Orthodontics, we’re proud to create smiles that look great and last. Ready for your own transformation? We’re here to help you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat Thanksgiving dinner with braces?
Yes. Most of the classic dishes are soft and braces-friendly. Cut meat into small pieces and skip hard or sticky treats like brittle and caramels.
Do I have to wear my aligners during holiday meals?
No. Take them out to eat and drink anything besides water, then brush or rinse before putting them back in.
What should I do if a bracket comes loose while I’m traveling?
Cover any sharp spots with orthodontic wax and call Matza Orthodontics at 561.368.3480. Most loose brackets aren’t an emergency, and the team will tell you what to do next.
Can I take my aligners out for holiday photos?
Yes, for a few minutes if you feel you must! (We think you’re perfect as is!!) Just put them right back in so you stay on track with your wear time.
Happy Holidays From Our Boca Raton Family to Yours
Braces and aligners don’t have to change the way you celebrate. A few small adjustments and you’re free to enjoy the food, the travel, and the photos.
Dr. Barry Matza, Dr. Heather Ercolano, and the whole Matza Orthodontics team can’t wait to meet you and help your family smile with confidence right here in Boca Raton. If you’re thinking about braces or aligners for the new year, we’d love to see you for a consultation.
Schedule a consultation with Matza Orthodontics.
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