IN SHORT
Whether you’re going on holiday with fixed or removable dental appliances, some precautions can help you keep your treatment on track while enjoying your trip. Before you leave, pack a dental travel kit with a few essentials.
- The dental kit should contain your toothbrush, toothpaste, interdental brushes, dental floss, and the storage case for your aligners, orthodontic wax, etc.
- When travelling, you must take good care of your oral hygiene the whole time.
- A consultation with your orthodontist before your departure is recommended.
- Practise your water activities with confidence.
Planning a summer getaway with fixed braces or removable aligners will require you to adopt a few reflexes and to have the right essentials at your fingertips. It’s not rocket science! Follow our simple tips and use our checklist to make sure you’re ready for your vacation.
Travel Kit with a Dental Appliance
In order to make your summer vacation enjoyable, pack an orthodontic travel kit with all the essentials you’ll need. Whether you’re packing for a child, a teenager, or yourself, the basics are the same for anyone wearing fixed braces or removable appliances such as Invisalign aligners.
Ideally, your kit must contain:
- Dental floss suggested by your orthodontist
- Storage case for your aligners or other removable appliances
- Orthodontic wax, in case of irritation
- Small scissors with round ends, if necessary
- Contact info of your orthodontist
Oral Hygiene While Travelling
Vacations are a time to unwind and relax, but you shouldn’t change your oral hygiene. If you wear braces, it is essential to maintain your daily oral care routine.
For a healthy smile while away, brushing your teeth after every meal and again before bedtime is a must. Also, don’t forget to use dental floss and quality toothpaste.
Don’t lose your good habits! If you wear Invisalign aligners, remember to remove them before eating or drinking, and before brushing your teeth.
A Consultation Before Departure
Are you going on a long vacation? Don’t leave without scheduling a check-up with Dr. Normand Bach, orthodontist in Montreal, especially if you wear braces. He will make sure that your treatment is running smoothly and that you can leave without any worries. He will take the time to check your dental device and provide you with preventive advice.
Useful Tips for Travelling with Braces
Here is what you should and shouldn’t do when travelling with braces.
What You Need to Do
- Make sure you have all your dental essentials in your travel kit (go through your checklist before travelling).
- Maintain constant oral hygiene during your trip.
- Store your aligner in a rigid case to protect them.
- Inform your orthodontist if you’ll be away for a long time.
What You Should Avoid Doing
- Neglect your oral hygiene routine.
- Place your aligners in a glass of water or simply put them on a tissue or towel.
- Space out your follow-up visits to the orthodontist
- Try and repair your broken dental appliance by yourself.
Water Sports and Dental Appliances
Clients often ask us if you can practise a water sport while wearing a dental appliance.
Generally, swimming with a fixed or removable dental appliance is not a problem.
However, for team sports where close contact is possible, it’s highly recommended to wear a mouthguard that is adapted to your condition. Your orthodontist will advise you if needed.
Follow-Up Visits and Travelling
It’s always better to go to your follow-up appointments with your orthodontist. However, there’s no need to worry if you’re a few days late, or even 10 days late. What might be a problem is if you miss a few consecutive follow-ups. Take the time to talk to your orthodontist about this before you leave.
If you have any doubts about your oral health, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit to your orthodontist as soon as you’re back from your trip.
It’s Not Rocket Science! Appropriate Preparation Is All You Need
You can certainly take vacations while having a dental appliance. However, you need to be careful, and it’s a good idea to talk to your orthodontist about it.
Packing an orthodontic travel kit will be useful and help you avoid unpleasant surprises. Maintain good oral health and have your travel kit at hand during your trip to manage minor hiccups.
To get advice before your vacation, talk to Dr. Normand Bach, your orthodontist in the heart of Montreal, in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal. A team of professionals is ready to answer all your questions.
