With the holidays just around the corner, you might be concerned about caring for your braces while you’re away from home. But if you’re prepared and follow some simple tips, your orthodontic treatment will continue without a hitch.

What to pack

To be prepared for your holiday you need to ensure you have all the tools needed to properly care for your braces. Start with the basics and pack your toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as dental floss or flossing sticks to help you clean between your brackets and underneath your archwires. You’ll also need orthodontic wax to help if you are feeling any discomfort while you’re away.

If your treatment includes the use of elastics, then be sure to stock up before you go. Finally, a small container of salt can be handy to create a saltwater rinse in the event that your braces rub against the inside of your cheek to help promote healing and reduce the risk of infection.

How to care for your braces

Just because you’re on holiday, it doesn’t mean you can let your usual routine take a break as well. When possible, brush your teeth after every meal or at the very least rinse your mouth out with water. A small travel toothbrush can be kept in your bag for these occasions. Be careful and avoid eating foods such as sticky candy and hard nuts!

In addition, be sure you’re properly flossing your teeth before you head to bed each night. While you should always be steering clear of certain foods throughout your treatment, when you’re away from home it is vital you stick to these eating habits. That means avoiding foods that can be damaging to your braces, such as crunchy nuts, chewing caramels and corn on the cob.

What if something happens to my braces?

Even if you’re careful, sometimes accidents happen and you may need a trip to an orthodontist. If you break an archwire or have a bracket come loose, you will may to consult an orthodontist to keep your treatment on track.

Take a photo of your problem and e-mail to your normal orthodontist. They are always willing to help! They’ll let you know if the problem can wait until you return or if you need to make an appointment with a local orthodontist to get you back on track.

If you’re travelling within Australia, you can search for an orthodontist in your area by suburb or postcode to find an ASO registered orthodontist to help treat you in consultation with your regular practitioner.

If you’re close to heading home and only have a minor issue such as a single loose bracket, the orthodontist may advise that you can wait until you get home to make an appointment with your regular orthodontist.