During the holiday season many families travel to visit friends and family that live out of town. If you are wearing braces and are planning on travelling soon, be sure that you are prepared and follow these tips while packing.
When putting together your packing list, be sure to add these items to your list:
Christmas tree-shaped brush for cleaning in between teeth and flosspicks
Travel toothbrush
Mini bottle of mouth rinse
Orthodontic wax, in case of any discomfort
A small mirror, to keep with you at all times, for examining any possible issues
Another important part of travelling is being cautious of what you are eating. While you are out of town and do not have your orthodontist available, be sure to avoid certain foods that can cause broken brackets or wire distortion. These foods include:
Chewy or gummy foods
Apples, and other whole fruits (you may cut the fruit into smaller pieces to safely eat it)
Bagels and hard rolls
Corn on the cob
Hard candies
Hard snacks, such as cookies or pretzels
Peanuts, almonds, cashews, nuts, etc. *
*”Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” if soft enough, are OK!
If you happen to experience a problem while you are out of town, give us a call to let us know and see if we can help. If you are having pain or discomfort that needs to be resolved as soon as possible, you can call a local orthodontist practice to relieve you of the pain until you are able to see your orthodontist at . If a bracket comes loose, as long as it is not hurting it can wait for us to reattach after you return, but call ahead to set up the appointment.
Invisalign Patients: take an extra set of aligners to wear in case you lose the set you are currently wearing. The teeth will begin to shift back toward the original bite if aligners are left out for any length of time!
Follow these simple tips to prevent any issues with your braces while you’re travelling. Make sure you prepare and pack what you need, and enjoy your trip!
Have a happy and safe holiday season!