The JK Orthodontics team is here to provide you with some traveling tips to make your next vacation with braces more stress-free!
No one ever wants their fun summer vacation to be negatively impacted by their braces, but the truth is that traveling with braces does require a certain amount of planning.
All of us at JK Orthodontics are more than happy to provide our patients with some extra support when they’re planning a big trip with friends or family, because we know that it’s never fun to deal with orthodontic issues when you’re trying to have a good time in a beautiful, remote location!
So what we’ve done is compile some special care tips that will help you or your child successfully travel while wearing braces. These tips include the following:
Be Sure To Get A Checkup Prior To Your Trip
Dealing with a loose bracket or scratchy wire while on vacation is something that no one wants to go through, and this is why you should get these problems and other minor orthodontic issues sorted out before your departure. Certain types of discomfort associated with braces can always be inconvenient and uncomfortable, and there are certain scenarios in which this discomfort can disrupt your travel itinerary.
Even if you or your child isn’t currently experiencing any issues with braces, it’s still a good idea to schedule a pre-vacation checkup appointment with Dr. Karpac about a week or two before leaving. This will better ensure your peace of mind knowing that your orthodontic treatment is going precisely as planned, and that your orthodontic appliance is in a good condition for travelling!
Always Bring An Orthodontic Travel Kit On Your Vacation
Simply throwing a toothbrush and toothpaste into your suitcase won’t cut it when you’re going through orthodontic treatment of any kind, particularly braces. It’s always absolutely critical that you pack all of your cleaning supplies, because having a comprehensive orthodontic travel kit will ensure your overall comfort, cleanliness and safety during your vacation.
The following items are what should go inside your orthodontic travel kit:
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Floss threaders & dental floss
- Orthodontic wax
- Mouthwash
- Lip balm
- Extra rubber bands
- A tongue scraper
- Over-the-counter pain medication
- A small compact mirror
Another good idea for your travel kit is to keep our contact info on hand, and this can sometimes be as easy as keeping our number and email in your phone’s contacts. But in certain situations like your child going to summer camp without a cell phone, it could be a good idea to put our business card in the dental kit just in case an emergency occurs.
Going On Vacation Doesn’t Mean Taking A Break From Your Oral Hygiene Routine
We all know that our healthy habits sometimes get put aside while on vacation, and this is perfectly fine. However, you’re going to need to remain vigilant while traveling when it comes to your oral hygiene routine. Your oral health is simply too important to put on hold just because you’re on vacation!
This means you’re going to need to regularly brush and floss your teeth, even when it’s sometimes inconvenient or you feel tempted to skip a morning/evening. Braces patients also need to continue refraining from problematic foods like they would when they’re at home, and this includes hard, crunchy and sticky snacks. Even one bite of caramel candy or popcorn can end up being seriously detrimental to your braces!
Reach Out To JK Orthodontics For More Information About How To Travel Stress-Free With Braces!
JK Orthodontics has been an orthodontic industry leader in the Columbus Metro Area for over 30 years, so we’ve helped countless patients as they’re planning for vacations and have heard many unfortunate stories about avoidable issues at inopportune times.
That’s why our team is here to help as you and your family are planning your next big trip together, and you can always contact us online or call us at 614-766-0330 (Dublin office) or 614-471-6355 (Gahanna office) to get in touch with our team and let us know about any help you need in your vacation preparations while wearing braces!