The holiday season is a time of celebration, travel, and indulgence in delicious food and festive treats. While enjoying the festivities, it’s easy to overlook dental care, especially if you're wearing braces. Whether rocking traditional metal braces, clear aligners, or other orthodontic appliances, keeping your teeth clean and healthy during your travels is essential. The holidays can throw off your regular routine, but don’t worry — we've got you covered with essential travel tips to protect your smile and your braces.

Here’s how to maintain a healthy, bright smile this holiday season, even with braces!

1. Pack a Braces-Friendly Oral Care Kit

Traveling with braces means being prepared with the right tools to keep your teeth and braces in top condition. A well-stocked oral care kit will make it easy to maintain your dental hygiene on the go. Here’s what to pack:

• Orthodontic Toothbrush: Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush or an orthodontic toothbrush with a V-shaped bristle design that can clean around braces effectively.
• Toothpaste: Bring fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth from cavities.
• Dental Floss or Floss Threaders: Traditional floss can be difficult to use with braces, so opt for floss threaders or special orthodontic floss picks that make it easier to clean between your brackets and wires.
• Interdental Brushes: These small brushes are great for cleaning between the brackets and wires where food can easily get stuck.
• Wax for Braces: Orthodontic wax can come in handy if your braces irritate the inside of your mouth. Simply roll a small piece and apply it to any areas that are causing discomfort.
• Mouthwash: An antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash can help reduce bacteria and keep your mouth feeling fresh.

Packing these essentials will ensure that you don’t miss a step in your oral care routine, no matter where your travels take you.

2. Stick to Your Braces-Friendly Oral Hygiene Routine

The key to maintaining oral health with braces — especially when you're on the go — is consistency. Even if you're on vacation or visiting family, don’t skip brushing and flossing.

• Brush After Every Meal: Food can easily get stuck in the brackets, which makes it essential to brush your teeth after each meal or snack. Aim to brush for at least two minutes to remove food particles and plaque buildup.
• Flossing is a Must: Flossing with braces can be tricky, but it’s crucial to remove food particles that get trapped around the brackets and wires. Using a floss threader or an orthodontic-specific flosser can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy while you travel.
• Use Mouthwash for Extra Protection: Rinsing with mouthwash can help reduce bacteria and provide extra protection against cavities, especially when you can’t brush immediately after eating.

Remember, even though you might be in a new environment or on a different schedule, it’s important to maintain your oral hygiene routine as closely as possible to avoid potential complications with your braces.

3. Be Mindful of Holiday Foods (Especially With Braces)

Holidays are synonymous with delicious meals and indulgent snacks, but not all of them are braces-friendly. Certain foods can damage your braces or get stuck in hard-to-reach places, leading to plaque buildup and cavities. Here’s how to navigate holiday treats while keeping your braces intact:

• Avoid Sticky and Chewy Foods: Sticky candies like caramel, taffy, or gummies can cling to your braces and are difficult to clean off. They also put extra pressure on the brackets and wires, which could cause damage.
• Watch Out for Hard Foods: Nuts, popcorn kernels, hard candy, and even some crunchy raw vegetables can break or bend your wires and brackets. These hard foods can also be painful to chew if you have sensitive teeth.
• Cut Food into Smaller Pieces: If you want to enjoy foods like apples, carrots, or hard bread, make sure to cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces to prevent unnecessary pressure on your braces.
• Stay Away from Staining Foods and Drinks: Beverages like coffee, red wine, and soda can stain your teeth and the clear elastics on your braces. Try to limit these drinks, or rinse your mouth with water after consumption.
• Opt for Softer Snacks: You can still enjoy holiday snacks like mashed potatoes, soft cheeses, yogurt, or baked turkey without worrying about damaging your braces. And always Christmas cookies!

Being cautious about the foods you eat will help you avoid broken brackets, painful discomfort, or increased cleaning time during your travels.

4. Use Sugar-Free Gum to Protect Your Teeth

When you have braces, it’s essential to be extra vigilant about keeping your teeth clean, especially after meals or snacks. Sugar-free gum can help clean your teeth, stimulate saliva production, and reduce the risk of cavities. If you’re stuck in an airport or at a family gathering where brushing isn’t an option, chewing sugar-free gum can be a great temporary solution.

Look for gum with xylitol, a natural sweetener that has been shown to reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth and fight cavities. Just remember to chew gently — avoid sticky gums that could get stuck in your brackets.

5. Hydrate and Keep Your Mouth Clean

The holiday season often means traveling to new places or spending time in dry, heated environments that can cause dry mouth. Staying hydrated is crucial for both your overall health and your oral health. Water helps wash away food particles, neutralizes acids, and keeps your mouth moist.

If you’re traveling to a new place, especially internationally, make sure to drink bottled or filtered water to avoid any potential issues with unfamiliar water sources that could affect your braces or oral health.

6. Prevent Braces-Related Discomfort

Holiday travel can be stressful, and if you have braces, you may experience some discomfort or irritation, particularly after eating certain foods or during long trips. Here are a few tips to minimize any discomfort:

• Use Orthodontic Wax: If your braces cause sores or irritation on the inside of your cheeks or lips, orthodontic wax can be a lifesaver. Just roll a small piece of wax and place it over any brackets or wires causing discomfort.
• Carry Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: If your braces feel sore after an adjustment or due to eating certain foods, an over-the-counter pain reliever (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) can help. Make sure to consult with your orthodontist for the best recommendations.
• Stay on Schedule with Appointments: If you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, don’t forget to schedule your appointments in advance before traveling. Our Hester and Morris team are great to work with on scheduling, but we do see a lot of patients -- Planning ahead will help you get the time you want!

7. Check Your Braces for Any Issues Before Traveling

Before heading out for your holiday adventures, do a quick check of your braces. Make sure everything is in place — no loose brackets, broken wires, or missing bands. If something is loose or out of place, it’s best to get it checked by your orthodontist before your trip to avoid any problems while traveling.

Thankfully, there are no true orthodontic "emergencies". If you notice any issues while you're away, see our website and social media for videos and tips on handling bent wires or broken appliances. We're happy to repair any damage once you've returned.

Conclusion: Smile Bright, Even With Braces!

Holiday travel is all about making memories, relaxing, and enjoying delicious food, and with a little extra attention to your braces and oral hygiene, you can keep your smile healthy and bright throughout the season. By packing the right tools, sticking to your routine, and being mindful of what you eat, you can ensure that your braces don’t get in the way of your holiday fun.

Remember, a healthy smile is a beautiful smile — and it’s definitely worth the effort to protect your teeth and braces while traveling. Happy holidays, and Live Life Smiling from Hester and Morris Orthodontics! ✨