The countdown until vacation is something all family members do with a smile. But does one of those smiling faces include a child with braces? If this is your trip traveling with brackets and wires, you may be wondering how to maintain your child’s oral health routine while away so you stay on your orthodontic timeline.
Here are our best 5 tips for enjoying your family vacation with braces, so nothing stands in the way of the fun you’re sure to have.
Make A Braces Specific Travel Kit
Being prepared for every orthodontic situation while traveling is the best way to fix any discomforts along the way. Pack a few necessary orthodontic tools and create a basic dental travel kit so your child will have everything they might need. Whether you buy a pre-made braces kit or put one together yourself, we recommend packing:
- Travel toothbrush
- Fluoride toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Dental floss
- Orthodontic wax to help with any discomfort from protruding wires
- Over-the-counter painkillers
- Mini water bottle for rinsing the mouth
- Small mirror to examine any possible dental issue
- Proxy brushes and Interdental picks
Pack everything in a convenient little travel case so it can be brought with you everywhere you go.
Avoid Foods That Aren’t Braces-Friendly
Certain foods and drinks are off-limits at home with braces, and they should continue to be off-limits while traveling too. Nothing puts a damper on a fun day like losing a bracket, especially if you’re traveling in an unfamiliar place. While we don’t want you to miss out on trying new regional foods, you should plan to skip:
- Candies that are:
- Chewy
- Gummy
- Sticky
- Hard
- Bread rolls that are hard and require biting into including bagels
- Corn on the cob
- Chewing on ice
- Nuts of any kind
- Pretzels
- Sugary or fizzy drinks
- Whole fruits like apples and pears that you bite into
Use a Mouthguard During Physical Activities
Planning a vacation for all ages typically includes a number of physical activities like hiking, biking, swimming, and even a game or two of flag football. While some of these activities are harmless, others have the opportunity to cause injury to teeth. Be proactive and cautious by using a mouth guard to help protect braces and your teeth when engaging in physical activities that may be risky.
Keep Up With Oral Care
Everyone deserves to be able to kick back and relax, but one area that shouldn’t suffer is your oral regimen, braces or not. It may be tempting to do a sub-par job of brushing in the morning or before bed. Whether everyone is packed up and ready for a day at the beach, or you’re so exhausted after a long day that your hotel bed is calling your name, brushing and flossing is still a must. Skimping on the oral routine for a few days may negatively impact the health of your teeth in the long run.
Schedule A Check-Up Before You Leave Home
Before heading out of town, make a final stop with Thomas Orthodontics. We will make necessary changes in equipment, if required, and ensure that your treatment proceeds as planned while you are away having fun in the sun. Checking your brackets and wires to make sure they are firmly in place will give everyone peace-of-mind while taking off.
In the case of a broken bracket or other urgent problem, don’t panic! A local orthodontist that practices in the area you’re traveling in will be able to help. Be sure to add our phone number into your cell phone contacts in case of an orthodontic emergency too!
