Going on holiday soon but worried about your braces? No need to fear! Traveling with braces is possible nowadays. Here’s how you can make use of your orthodontic appliance during your trip.
Before your vacation, it’s wise to make sure your orthodontist in California appointment is marked off the checklist. In addition, you should regularly check in with your orthodontist to ensure everything is tracking correctly during your treatment.
If it’s been a while since the last appointment, over two weeks or more, it’s time to revisit the orthodontist for possible reassessment. It is essential to contact your healthcare provider before taking a trip away from their physical office. This is to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.
If you aren’t sure about the importance of a pre-vacation checkup, you can ask your orthodontist’s office. They will give you an answer depending on how you felt at your last appointment and how long you’ll be traveling.
It can be tempting to put off the appointment when dealing with many tasks involved in preparing for a trip. However, any orthodontist will tell you that it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your orthodontic care and that it’s best to address any minor issues before they become troublesome and potentially interfere with your plans or progress.
When traveling, you need a travel kit that covers all your orthodontic needs. It should include the following:
Be sure the kit is compact enough to carry in your purse or backpack. It defeats the purpose if it’s sitting back in the hotel room when food gets stuck in your braces or teeth.
Avoiding crunchy, hard, chewy, or sticky foods should be at the top of your agenda, as these particular kinds can cause irreversible damage to your braces. Your orthodontist has most certainly gone over the list of food items that you must keep away from multiple times. However, being away from home doesn’t mean that your brackets and wires become invincible; careful consideration regarding the food you consume must be taken to prevent them from breaking.
Make a checklist of “green light” and “red light” foods before your vacation to avoid feeling overwhelmed when faced with a feasting table. This list should consist of items specifically tailored to the trip so that you can quickly decide if a particular item should be avoided. For those preparing or contributing food, ensure you have braces-friendly options as part of the meal to enjoy all types of delicious foods and desserts without compromising one’s dentition.
In orthodontic treatment with removable aligners, steps must be taken to ensure proper use and maintenance and constant care adhering to the prescribed wear time, cleaning instructions as well as appropriate care so that they remain in top condition.
Aligners, unlike retainers, function to shift teeth throughout the treatment actively. These transparent plastic pieces serve a different purpose from retainers; while retainers primarily prevent the movement of teeth after treatment ends, aligners work proactively to realign the dental structure. So even if you know someone who neglected their retainer for a few days and turned out just fine, the same can’t be said for aligners.
Missing even just one day when it comes to wearing your aligners can seriously impede your treatment—causing the process to move slowly and potentially reversing any progress made previously. Therefore, we usually advise that you wear the aligners for at least 22 hours every day.
Here are some tips for handling an orthodontic appliance emergency while traveling:
Aside from the essential travel kit, pack a small bag with orthodontic wax, a small pair of scissors, and a small pair of pliers. This will allow you to make minor adjustments to your orthodontic appliance if necessary.
Before you leave for your trip, make sure you have your orthodontist’s contact information with you. Then, if you experience an emergency, you can call or email them for advice.
If you are still trying to reach your regular orthodontist, try to find a local orthodontist or dentist who can help you. You can use online directories or ask the front hotel desk for recommendations.
When a wire or bracket brings on discomfort, orthodontic wax should be used to cover the piece and reduce stress. This can alleviate the tenderness brought along with wearing braces in Scramento, helping for a more comfortable experience overall.
Cleanliness is essential in the event that a bracket or wire becomes loose or broken, as this will help to avoid infection.
Though orthodontic appliance emergencies are not common, it is very important to remain composed when one happens. The right assistance is essential to move forward and manage the situation in the best way possible.
Bear in mind that these tips should not replace the advice of a professional. It is always best to consult with your orthodontist or a local professional as soon as possible.
Are you going on holiday soon? Schedule your pre-vacation appointment at Holt Orthodontics! Our team of orthodontists will ensure that your treatment goes smoothly even while traveling. We have four locations for you to choose from. So there’s a guarantee you’ll find an office conveniently close to you.
You can also book a complimentary consultation with us! We’ll be happy to assist you with any concerns that you have.
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