During the 2021 holiday season, experts anticipated that over 109 million people would travel – an increase of nearly 34% over 2020.
We can probably expect those numbers to rise in 2022 if we can keep COVID in check.
If you’re planning on taking a long-awaited and well-deserved vacation this year, we wanted to give you some general orthodontic tips. After all, if you take care of your braces on vacation, you’ll be free to enjoy yourself even more!
Taking care of your braces on vacation doesn’t have to be a big deal. Stick to these five tips and you’ll be able to thoroughly enjoy your vacation without having to worry about orthodontic care.
This can be a tough one, we totally get it. When you go on vacation, you’re out of your normal routine. You may get to bed later than normal, and you’re exhausted after a full day of activities.
However, by sticking to your normal brushing and flossing routine, you’ll keep your teeth and gums healthy and avoid slowing the efficiency and progress of your orthodontic treatment.
Like you, your Long Beach orthodontist doesn’t want you to have to be in braces longer than necessary. And they’d also like you to enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile after treatment, instead of having to go back into the dental chair to repair damage to your teeth and/or gums.
Another area where people fall off the health bandwagon while on vacation is with their diet. You’re feeling adventurous and you want to try as many new, exciting, delectable foods as possible. That’s one of the joys of taking a vacation – especially if you’re a foodie.
But one of the best ways to take care of your braces on vacation is to watch what you eat. Try to avoid anything sticky or hard foods like nuts. Instead, eat softer foods like:
Sticking to foods that are good for your braces will not only help you avoid needing to see an emergency orthodontist, but it is also better for your teeth. Harder foods can cause teeth to crack or fracture, while sticky foods are hard to clean and can contribute to dental decay.
Don’t forget, too, that if you have clear brackets that darker foods (sauces, wines, curries) can cause staining.
When you’re undergoing orthodontics in Long Beach, you’ll visit your orthodontist every few weeks. Even so, it might be a good idea to schedule an extra check-up before you go on vacation.
During this appointment, your Long Beach orthodontist can evaluate your teeth and braces to make sure everything looks good. They might notice that you need a new wire or that some of your bands are looking worse for wear and replace them.
Taking some time out of your schedule for a pre-vacation visit can help prevent an emergency situation.
Again, going on vacation means you’re going to be out of your normal routine. You can forget to keep your Invisalign aligners in for the required 20-22 hours per day. Remember that leaving the aligners out for longer than recommended can slow your progress and keep you in orthodontic care for even longer.
You might try setting an alarm on your phone or watch as a reminder to put your aligners back in after meals or any other time you take them out.
There’s nothing worse than being away from home and realizing you forgot to pack an essential – especially if you’re on an outdoor trip that’s far from civilization.
We highly recommend creating a list of your oral hygiene essentials. You can keep the list in your suitcase, backpack, or toiletry bag so it’s there every time you need to pack. You can also keep the list on your phone in a notes app for easy access.
Here are some items to include:
If you’re an Invisalign patient, make sure you have enough aligners for your trip. Not changing your aligners on schedule can hinder your progress.
Despite all your fine efforts, you could potentially need to see an emergency orthodontist while on vacation. There’s no need to panic. You have some options.
In some cases, you can wait to see your Long Beach dentist until you return home from your trip. In others, though, it might be best to see a dentist on the road. Here are some scenarios in which you might want to do that:
Regardless of whether you’re in pain or not, it’s best to call your orthodontist to let them know what’s going on. They can advise you over the phone whether to visit an emergency orthodontist. They can also provide you with some tips on how to temporarily fix the orthodontic issue you’re having.
You can purchase an orthodontic emergency kit online (ask your Long Beach orthodontist which one they recommend). Or you can create one for yourself. Simply add the following items to use as needed.
One of the busiest vacation times is the summer. Some parents wonder if it’s wise for their kids to get braces right before their summer break begins, especially if they have travel plans.
Like we pointed out, you can have a great time with zero issues if you (or your child) take care of your braces on vacation.
Something else to think about: There’s a lot of downtime during the summer for most kids. They may prefer to get their braces before their summer break, so they have time to get used to them before having to wear them at school.
Your child can kick back, relax, and spend some time binging on Netflix, YouTube, or TikTok and not worry about getting their braces for the first time during the super busy school year.
It’s easy to think that your braces might get in the way of your vacation. Really, though, if you take care of your braces on vacation and see your Long Beach orthodontist for a preventative check-up before you leave, you should be good to go. Remember to pack your orthodontic and dental care kit and enjoy your trip!
Do you have more questions about taking care of your braces on vacation? Call us at (562) 667-2973 to schedule an appointment. We’re happy to answer your questions and ease your mind!
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