Taking Care of Your Child’s Braces During Vacation

If your child is undergoing orthodontic treatment and you’re planning a summer vacation, there are a few things you can do to be prepared. Plan on packing a few things to bring with you on vacation, including the following:

• Travel toothbrush
• Travel-sized fluoride toothpaste
• Floss, interdental brushes, or a floss pick
• A travel-sized bottle of mouthwash
• Orthodontic wax for protruding wires

We recommend having a bag or box dedicated just to each family member’s oral hygiene products. There are even pre-made oral hygiene travel kits that come packed with all of the above products.

What to Avoid During Vacation

Vacations usually mean plenty of snacks and fun meals. However, there are still some things that your child should avoid eating on vacation in order to keep his or her braces intact:

• Gummy, sticky, or chewy foods
• Corn on the cob
• Hard candies, cookies, or pretzels
• Hard rolls or bagels
• Nuts, including peanuts, cashews, and almonds
• Biting into whole fruits

While it’s important for every member of the family to practice good oral hygiene on vacation, it’s even more important when undergoing orthodontic treatment. Otherwise, damage can be done to the brackets and wires, or the treatment time can be extended.

For more information on how you can have a braces-friendly vacation, or to make an appointment for your children to receive a dental cleaning and a checkup, please contact Little Smiles of Delaware. Our pediatric dental office is located in Delaware, Ohio.