Dec 16, 2025

Braces and the Festive Season: How to Enjoy Christmas Foods, Drinks and Care Safely

Christmas in Australia is all about food, family and fun. If you, or your child, are in braces, you can still enjoy the festive spread without risking a broken bracket. With a few smart swaps and a little extra care, you will get through the holidays with smiles intact and treatment on track.

What you can enjoy with braces

Plenty of Christmas favourites are braces friendly. Aim for softer textures that do not need big bites or heavy chewing.

• Roast meats sliced thin Turkey, chicken, ham or lamb cut into small pieces. Add gravy for extra softness.
• Soft seafood Prawns, salmon and barramundi are great when cut into bite sized pieces. Avoid chewing tails or shells.
• Roast veggies and salads Potatoes, pumpkin, carrots and soft greens are ideal. Skip raw carrots, whole snow peas or crunchy croutons.
• Soft breads and sides Dinner rolls, stuffing and mashed potatoes are gentle on braces.
• Cheese and dips Soft cheeses, hummus, guacamole and yoghurt based dips with soft crackers.
• Desserts you can spoon Pavlova without hard nuts, trifle, cheesecake, panna cotta, Christmas pudding with custard and ice cream, as long as there are no hard mix ins.

Tip: Take smaller bites, chew slowly with your back teeth and drink water between mouthfuls. This helps rinse away food and reduces the chance of something getting stuck.

Festive foods to avoid

Some favourites are risky because they are hard, sticky or crunchy. These can bend wires, break brackets or pull elastics off.

• Hard crackling or roast pork rind
• Toffees, caramels, candy canes and chewy lollies
• Nuts and nut brittles, including whole almonds, pistachios and hazelnuts
• Hard biscuits and biscotti, very crusty bread and baguettes
• Popcorn and unpopped kernels
• Whole apples or raw carrots, unless cut into thin slices and chewed with back teeth
• Sticky dried fruits in dense slices, such as very chewy Christmas cake loaded with whole nuts or firm glace cherries

If in doubt, think soft, chop it small and avoid anything that clings to teeth.

Navigating drinks and holiday toasts

Sugary and acidic drinks can increase the risk of white spot marks around brackets. You do not need to skip the toast, just be selective.

• Better choices Still water, sparkling water, milk, sugar free soft drink or diluted cordial.
• Enjoy in moderation Juice, regular soft drink, sports drinks and alcoholic mixers like cola or lemonade.

After any acidic or sugary drink, rinse with water and wait about 30 minutes before brushing to protect your enamel.

If you wear elastic bands, remove them to eat and drink, then replace them straight after.

Plate smart at parties and barbecues

Buffets and barbecues can be tricky when you are chatting and grazing. A simple plan helps.

• Scan the table first and build a plate with soft proteins, cooked veggies and small pieces of bread.
• Avoid toothpicks and skewers, as these can snap and get lodged.
• Cut everything small and use a knife and fork, even for finger foods.
• Keep a travel kit with a small mirror, orthodontic wax, a compact toothbrush, interdental brushes and floss threaders.

Sweets without the stress

You can absolutely enjoy dessert. Choose options that melt or break up easily.

• Go for Pavlova with soft fruit, trifle, custard, jelly, mousse, sponge cake and ice cream.
• Be careful with Rocky road, honeycomb, nougat and anything with hard nuts or sticky caramel strands.

After sweets, rinse with water first, then brush when you can.

Daily brace care during the holidays

Routines can slip during school holidays and travel. A simple checklist keeps things on track.

Morning

• Brush for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
• Check for any loose ligatures or pokey wire ends.

After meals

• Rinse with water.
• Use an interdental brush around brackets and under the wire.
• Floss once a day with a floss threader or superfloss.

Night

• Brush again thoroughly.
• Apply orthodontic wax to any areas rubbing your cheeks or lips.

If you are in clear aligners such as Invisalign®, remove aligners to eat and drink anything other than plain water, brush before putting them back in and keep them in their case while you eat. Aim for 20 to 22 hours of daily wear to stay on schedule.

Preventing holiday emergencies

Most issues are preventable with a few habits.

• Do not bite into hard foods, always cut them into small pieces.
• Use back teeth for chewing, as front brackets are easier to knock off.
• Keep elastics and wax with you and replace elastics after every meal.
• Protect aligners by storing them in their case, not in a napkin.
• Wear a mouthguard if you are playing a summer sport.

If a bracket breaks or a wire pokes, you can usually stabilise it with wax until your next visit. If you are unsure, contact your orthodontic team for guidance.

Travelling with braces or aligners

A little preparation makes travel easier.

• Pack a spare toothbrush, toothpaste, floss threaders, interdental brushes and wax.
• For aligners, bring your current set, your next set and your previous set as a backup, plus your case.
• Carry a small bottle of mouthwash for quick freshen ups when brushing is not possible.
• Set phone reminders for elastic wear or aligner changes.

When to call for help

Reach out if you notice:

• Severe pain that does not settle with wax and over the counter pain relief
• A broken or missing bracket that is moving on the wire
• A wire digging in that cannot be covered with wax
• Lost aligners with no immediate backup

Prompt advice helps prevent delays in treatment.

Final tips and a holiday smile check

• Choose soft over crunchy foods, cut everything small and chew slowly.
• Keep a simple travel kit with a brush, floss and wax.
• Rinse after sweets and acidic drinks, then brush when you can.
• Stick to elastic wear and aligner hours to avoid delays.
• Ask for help early if something feels wrong.

With a little planning, you can enjoy every Christmas barbecue, pudding and toast while protecting your braces. If you are ready for tailored advice or want to map out 2025 treatment goals, book a free consultation with Braces n Faces Orthodontics in Geelong or Hoppers Crossing. We are here to help you enjoy the season and keep your smile progressing, one cheerful meal at a time.