Summer is a fun and exciting time! If you’ve worried braces might hold you back, don’t be afraid! Here are our favorite 5 road trip tips for braces so you can travel without worrying about what to eat for snacks or how to keep your braces in top shape!

1. Pack Your Tools

Our number one tip when you’re getting ready to leave for a trip: pack your braces and dental care tools! It’s important to brush and floss your teeth and braces, just like you do at home, no matter where you are. It’s a good idea to also pack some dental picks and extra floss threaders, just in case one goes missing when you’re unpacking and packing.

2. Keep Safe Snacks on Hand

Next on our list of road trip tips for braces is to keep some braces-safe snacks on hand, just in case you can’t find braces-safe snacks on the road. It’s more important than ever when you’re traveling to avoid damaging your braces by eating unsafe foods (anything crunchy, chewy, hard, or foods that you need to bite into such as whole apples) because not only are you away from home, but you’re farther away from your orthodontist, as well.

3. Prepare Before You Go

Scheduling your next appointment with your orthodontist so that you get in before you leave for vacation can give you extra peace of mind while you’re traveling. Often, the unexpected happens when you’re away from home, whether it’s delayed flights or changing travel plans, so it’s always good to prepare ahead of time in case your trip gets stretched out.

4. Keep Up Your Routine

One of our simplest yet most important road trip tips for braces is to keep up your normal dental care routine that you keep at home. It’s fun to snack on road trips and those food particles and sugars can stick around long afterwards if you don’t brush them away.

Wherever you are, just make sure to brush after each meal with a fluoride-containing toothpaste and floss daily to help keep your smile healthy, bright, and strong for the big day when you get your braces off.

5. Keep Your Orthodontist’s Number Handy

Last but not least, before you hit the road, make sure your orthodontist’s phone number is in your phone contacts. Even if you’re traveling far away, it’s important to be able to call your orthodontist in case a wire or bracket pops loose, so that they can advise you on what to do to get you back on the road as soon as possible.

Call our 5th Street, Riverside, Galleria, Heights, Oak Forest, Rice Village, Richmond, Spring or Hulen dental offices to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.