The summer holidays are here! Perhaps you are jetting off to a sunny spot or heading off on a camping adventure. Whatever you are going to do, holidays take a little planning. Among those plans, it is important not to forget about your dental health and keeping your braces clean. Whilst relaxing by the pool, soaking in the sun, sea and sand or seeing the sites in a distant city, keeping up with your dental health routine is important.
Here are a few easy tips:
1. Travel pack for braces/ aligners
Be sure to pack some supplies to keep your braces, retainers and aligners clean and functioning well. Make up a little travel pack of things you usually use such as toothpaste, mouth wash, inter dental brushes or floss and wax if you need it. If you are at the end of treatment, don’t forget your retainers and retainer cleaning packs!
2. Drink water
Make sure that you stay hydrated. Drinking water is important when it is hot but it is also important as a drink of choice over sweetened fizzy drinks. It is much more beneficial to your teeth. Studies show that soft drinks and other sugary beverages contribute to the effect of dental erosion and decay. The fewer sweetened drinks and the less alcohol you consume, the better for your teeth. Drinking water after eating also removes damaging acids from your mouth. We recommend regular sips of water throughout the day and evening!
3. Don’t forget your toothbrush
Nothing can replace the benefits of a good brush for two minutes, twice a day. If you are wearing braces, you may want to clean your teeth more often and pack extra items such as Tepe (inter dental brushes) brushes, mouthwash and wax. Be sure to keep your toothbrush super clean by picking up a little reusable toothbrush cover.
4. Sugar-free gum
When you’re spending most of your time exploring, eating or partying, brushing your teeth twice a day isn’t going to be at the top of your list of things to do. Something that can help between brushes is keeping a few packets of sugar-free chewing gum handy and chewing on a piece after eating or drinking. While this is no replacement for brushing your teeth, the gum will encourage your mouth to produce more saliva which can help combat the build up of bacteria. It will at least tied you over until you can get back to your toothbrush.
5. Storage
If you have retainers or aligners, they can distort or melt if they become hot, so make sure that you keep them in a cool place if you are not wearing them. This is very important for those wearing retainers when they are being taken out during the day. If they are left in direct sunlight or near a radiator during the day, they can change shape and become difficult to wear.
