If you wear braces, going on vacation does not include skipping-out on your oral health and hygiene. Regular maintenance of braces is mandatory if you want to get the most out of them- and to help them do their job. Preparing for a vacation? If someone in the family wears braces, use the following tips to take care while away:
Develop Solid Daily Habits
Going away for a few days doesn’t mean you should take a break from caring for your braces with good oral hygiene and habits. In fact, it is even more important to take care of your braces properly while away to ensure you don’t have problems that require the attention of your orthodontic provider during your vacation. Follow the instructions given to you by your dentist- whether at home or on your holiday away.
Try to brush after meals or brush twice daily and rinse well with mouthwash after food or drink. Floss daily, bedtime is the best time, and follow with a drink of water to rid any residue from your mouth.
Watch What you Eat
Do yourself a favor and pay attention to what you eat during your vacation to ensure you don’t run into issues with your braces. Eat soft foods that are easy on your teeth and that won’t require a lot of cleaning your braces later. Skip things like sticky candy, gummy candy, nuts, hard cookies or crackers, and corn on the cob.
It is your vacation so don’t beat yourself up because you have a craving for your favorite gummy bears; just know that you will need to clean your braces after, and make sure you have the right supplies on-hand to do so. Prompt cleaning after should remove the risk of an issue.
Pack a Kit
Pack yourself a care kit for your braces that you take with you on vacation, outings, or that you keep in the car or purse for convenience. Some things that belong in this kit include the following common items:
- A toothbrush and tube of toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Floss threaders
- Orthodontic wax
- Mouth rinse or mouthwash
- Extra elastics for braces
- Cotton swabs
- A pair of nail clippers and tweezers
- Pain reliever, if recommended by your provider
- Additionally, pack a small compact mirror so that you can examine your braces, as needed, during your outing.
If you wear braces, it is always a good idea to see your orthodontic provider before leaving town or going on vacation. This gives them the opportunity to make any necessary adjustments, for optimal results while you are away. Plus, they can usually identify any potential issues that could present problems when traveling. Ask for extra dental supplies to pack for your vacation, too.
Do you think you need braces? Visit us at Reese Orthodontics for a consultation and to learn more. If you wear braces, use these tips to take care of them properly the next time you go on vacation.