With a little planning and the right care, braces do not have to be a travel complication. By following a proper care routine, you can remain relaxed and ready for adventure. No matter the length of your upcoming personal or business trip, ensure that your braces stay intact by putting these dentist-recommended tips into practice.

A Guide to Travelling With Braces

1. Schedule A Dental Exam Before You Go

Make an appointment with your dentist in the weeks before your travel date. This ensures that any existing issues get resolved so that you aren’t spending travel time dealing with loose wires, broken brackets, and other orthodontics issues. You’ll get your braces tightened as well so that you have time to get used to them before your trip.

Also, use the dental exam as a time to ask your dentist for emergency dental recommendations near your travel destination, or make a list from reputable listings online. Even though you probably won’t need emergency services, it’s still a good idea to have the numbers on hand.

2. Pack The Essentials

Fill a toiletry bag with everything you need to maintain your braces and oral health routine while on the road, including your toothbrush and toothpaste, orthodontic wax to reduce soreness, and floss threaders for efficient cleaning without bracket and wire damage. Also pack over-the-counter painkillers to combat mouth pain, tweezers or Q-tips for moving loose wires, and a carrying case if you use a retainer. If you think you will need to shorten loose wires during your trip, bring a nail clipper.

3. Keep Up With Your Normal Dental Hygiene Schedule

Brush gently for two minutes twice a day and use your floss threader once daily while you travel. Forgetting to brush or floss can be easy when you’re in a different location and on a different schedule. However, this promotes tooth decay. Braces increase your susceptibility to cavities because food particles and mouth bacteria have metal or ceramic pieces to “hide under,” even if you brush and floss regularly.

4. Avoid Certain Foods & Beverages

Keep a running list of foods and beverages to stay away from, such as sugary drinks or your go-to travel comfort foods, such as pretzels, pizza, bagels, dried fruit, and anything crunchy, chewy, or sugary. If you want something sweet, try fresh fruit, ice cream, sorbet, and smoothies. Bring a reusable water bottle with you so that you always have the opportunity to rinse your mouth after eating a sugary snack. 

Prepare for your vacation or business trip with a visit to North Ft. Mitchell Dentistry. Dr. John M. Schulte, DMD and his team have kept residents throughout Northern Kentucky smiling for over 40 years, providing a variety of dentistry services including orthodontics, dental exams, tooth extractions, and mouth guards. Call (859) 331-0763 today to schedule an exam or visit them online for more information about their orthodontic services. Get additional oral hygiene tips through their Facebook page.