Depending on how you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, there is always an opportunity for shenanigans. Sometimes, a little mischief can be great fun for everyone. Other times, making poor choices can do serious damage to your braces. Orthodontic patients, read on – below are gentle reminders to put your oral health first and save troublemaking for later.
A Straight Smile Is the Pot of Gold
It’s important to keep in mind what the goal is when you’re wearing braces – to achieve a healthy, straight smile. Getting there takes dedication, careful brushing, regular visits to your orthodontist, and a little willpower. When special occasions come along that tempt you with shenanigans, opt for the safe choices to keep your teeth and braces intact.
- Watch what you eat. On holidays, many people look for a free pass when it comes to foodstuffs. Calories count, and so do foods that can inflict serious damage on your brackets and wires. Continue to avoid the sticky, chewy, and crunchy foods so they don’t cause problems and you can avoid emergency visits to your orthodontist.
- Avoid the dares. If you hang with a crew that can get a little wild and crazy on one-day holidays, you could find yourself being dared to do just about anything, from opening a bottle with your teeth to pulling off your own orthodontic hardware. Stay strong! Say shenani-NO.
- Protect the goods. Patients who wear Teen or Invisalign Teen are not immune to March 17 mischief. Those clear aligners could be in jeopardy if you go out and about and drink a green drink or eat without taking the trays out first. Keep those aligners clear by carrying your case around and using it whenever it’s needed.
Acceptable Orthodontic Shenanigans
These orthodontic warnings are important and should be followed to protect your teeth and hardware from damage all the time, not just during St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans. Your orthodontists aren’t completely unfun though. There is one surefire way to have a good time and display some subtle shenanigans when you wear braces. If you are eager to show your Irish spirit, the smart choice is to select rubber bands that reflect the holiday. Here are some options:
- One solid shade of green for every bracket
- An ombre or mix-and-match of greens, from dark to neon
- A true rainbow, ROY G BIV-style
- Gold like the pot at the end of the rainbow
- Bright orange for the leprechaun’s hair
Stay Focused on the End of the Rainbow
It’s important to maintain a sense of humor about wearing braces. The journey can be long and sometimes feel daunting and uncomfortable, but the little wins – like showing your personality through the tiniest, colorful rubber bands – can carry you through from appointment to appointment, all the way to your pot of gold.
Contact Lawrenceville Orthodontics in Lawrenceville or Philadelphia to learn more about the types of braces available and what kind of alignment method might be right for you or your teen. Braces don’t take away your fun, they just ask you to take it easy for a little while and focus on the goal.