Whether you’re going on a cross-country road trip or a family vacation to the beach, it’s important that you keep your braces on your mind while you’re traveling. Summer vacation may feel like the time to forget about oral hygiene practices and eat foods you’re not supposed to eat, but this can lead to problems while you’re trying to enjoy your vacation. Limit the chances of something going wrong while you travel by keeping some important tips in mind. Here are our top tips on enjoying summer vacation with braces.
Traveling with Braces
Be sure to stay mindful of proper oral hygiene when you travel. Just because you’re on vacation, it doesn’t mean that you can forget about proper brushing and flossing practices. Be sure to pack the essentials in a travel kit, so that you have the necessary items at the ready, which include:
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Orthodontic wax
- Contact information for your orthodontist
Staying organized while you are on vacation will be important in maintaining your orthodontic treatment away from home.
Foods to Watch Out For While Traveling
You may feel as though since you’re on vacation, you can eat whatever you want, casting aside the list of restricted foods. Although you can be a little more relaxed about what you eat while on vacation, it will still be important to keep the list of restricted foods in mind, so that you don’t risk damaging your braces. Foods to watch out for include:
- Hard pretzels
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Chewy & hard candy
- Hard bread
Even though these are all good snacks to have on the road, when you have braces, you’ll need to pack foods that won’t cause damage to your brackets or wires. Planning is key.
Going on Vacation with Invisalign
While there aren’t any food restrictions with Invisalign, there are still a couple things to keep in mind when you travel. Take your next set of aligners with you if you are going to be gone more than a couple days. Be sure to store any aligners you aren’t wearing in a protective case out of reach of young children or pets. Also, do not leave them in a hot car for any length of time because they can warp.
Have a Plan In Case of Emergencies
Speaking of planning, you’ll have to keep in mind that sometimes, unfortunate incidents occur. You may follow every rule down to the letter and something can still happen to your braces. What’s important is how you handle these situations. First things first…don’t panic. Simply contact your orthodontist for your next steps and follow their instructions.
The best way to contact Smith Orthodontics when you’re out of town is through our Invisit App because you can submit photos of the problem. We will see your message and respond during business hours.
Your braces emergency may be easily corrected with a quick fix from your orthodontist over the phone to get you through vacation. Sometimes, your issue may be more pressing and you’ll need to seek the help of someone locally. The key thing to remember in this situation is to contact your orthodontist as soon as you can for proper instructions.
Why Getting Braces in the Summer is a Good Idea
Summertime is a fantastic time to begin orthodontic treatment. This is due to the fact that school is out and most activities have ended, so there’s more time to focus on treatment and schedule your appointments accordingly. You can also take advantage of extra down time to get used to having braces, so that you’re confident with them by the time the new school year begins.
So remember, have fun on summer vacation and keep these things in mind. Listen to your orthodontist and be prepared while you travel. Now go and make some memories this summer!
