Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Michael Clemente, D.M.D. on September 11, 2026

Our team at Clemente Orthodontics hopes you have the most joyous holiday season! Have fun, eat delicious food, and make beautiful memories with your family and friends.

The holidays bring cookie exchanges, candy canes, and travel schedules that can make it easy to let your orthodontic routine slip. A little planning goes a long way toward keeping your smile, your braces, or your Invisalign® treatment on track while you enjoy the season.

Protecting Braces During Holiday Meals and Treats

Holiday spreads are full of foods that can be tough on brackets and wires. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, hard candies, caramel, taffy, and sticky treats like candy canes and popcorn balls are common culprits behind broken brackets and loosened wires over the holidays. Crunchy cookies, nuts, and hard rolls can pose similar risks. Softer options such as chocolate without nuts, cake, and ice cream are generally easier on braces, so it is worth steering toward those when the dessert table comes out.

If a bracket does come loose or a wire starts poking, do not try to fix it yourself. Orthodontic wax can help manage irritation temporarily, but the office should be contacted as soon as possible so the issue does not delay your treatment timeline.

Keeping Invisalign Treatment on Track Through Travel and Parties

Invisalign® patients have an easier time navigating holiday food, since aligners simply come out for meals. The bigger challenge tends to be remembering to put them back in promptly and hitting the recommended 20 to 22 hours of daily wear when schedules are busier than usual. Packing a travel case, setting phone reminders, and keeping a spare aligner case in your bag for parties and family gatherings can help you stay consistent even when the calendar is full.

If you are traveling for the holidays, bring your current and next aligner along in case a set gets lost or damaged, and keep your orthodontist’s contact information handy in case a question comes up while you are away from home.

Retainer Reminders for the Season

Patients who recently finished treatment sometimes let retainer wear slip during a busy holiday stretch, and that is exactly when relapse can start. If your retainer has been sitting in a drawer more than it should, a few consistent nights of wear can usually get things back on track, but it is worth mentioning at your next visit if you have gone more than a few days without it. Keeping your retainer case in an easy-to-find spot, whether at home or packed for travel, makes it much less likely to be forgotten or lost during a hectic week.

Wishing Your Family a Healthy, Happy Season

Whatever the season looks like for your family this year, we hope it is filled with good food, good company, and a smile you feel good about. If a bracket comes loose, an aligner goes missing, or you simply have a question about your treatment before the new year, contact our office and our team will help you get back on track.

Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontic Care During the Holidays

What holiday foods are safest for patients with braces?

Softer foods such as chocolate without nuts, cake, mashed potatoes, and ice cream are generally easier on braces than hard candies, caramel, taffy, and crunchy items like nuts or hard rolls, which can loosen brackets or bend wires.

What should I do if a bracket breaks during the holidays?

Cover any sharp or poking area with orthodontic wax for comfort and contact our office as soon as possible. Avoid trying to fix or remove the bracket yourself, since that can create further damage or delay your treatment.

How can I remember to wear my Invisalign aligners enough during busy holiday events?

Setting a phone reminder, keeping your aligner case with you at parties, and putting your aligners back in immediately after eating are simple habits that help you reach the recommended 20 to 22 hours of daily wear, even on busy days.

What should I pack if I am traveling during orthodontic treatment?

Invisalign patients should bring their current aligner, the next set in sequence, and their case in case of loss or damage. Patients with braces should pack orthodontic wax and a small mirror, and everyone should have the office’s contact information on hand.

I have not worn my retainer consistently over the holidays. What should I do?

Resume nightly wear as soon as you can, and mention the gap at your next visit. A short lapse is usually manageable, but if the retainer feels noticeably tight, contact our office so we can check whether any shifting occurred.

About the Author

Dr. Michael Clemente, D.M.D.

Founder, Clemente Orthodontics

Dr. Michael Clemente earned his D.M.D. from Rutgers and a certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. He has practiced orthodontics for more than 50 years, served as an Air Force Captain, and founded the multigenerational family practice now joined by his three daughters.