This summer, don’t let your braces hold you back from smiling bright under the sun. At Orthodontics of South Miami, we give you the breakdown and tools you need to keep your braces working right amidst the fun and travel. Before it begins, let’s cover some of the tips for having the best summer with braces.
What Makes Up Your Braces
Braces are a complex appliance made simple thanks to our expert guidance. If you have braces or are considering braces, it’s good to go over the basics, just in case. Each component of your braces is made to gradually realign your teeth through consistent pressure over time.
Let’s go through each one’s specific role:
- Brackets: These are small squares made of either metal or ceramic that are bonded directly to the front of each tooth. Brackets act as the connection points and hold the archwires that move the teeth.
- Archwire: The thin metal wire that runs from bracket to bracket to be the main source of pressure to guide your teeth. As your teeth move, you’ll stop by our office to have the wire adjusted.
- O-rings: These are tiny rubber rings meant to go around your bracket to keep the archwire attached.
- Elastics: These are often used to correct jaw problems and connect the upper and lower teeth using rubber bands.
- Spacers: Similar to o-rings, these temporary rubber rings go between your teeth to make room for any additional components.
Each piece has a different role to play to create your dream smile. Keeping each one in tip-top shape can become a challenge in the whirlwind of summer fun. Let’s look at a few things to remember to keep your braces working.
Eating Right With Braces
No one likes making dietary changes, especially in the summer with sugary popsicles and sodas. But with braces, these small changes can help keep your braces journey headache-free.
The Good
The best thing to keep your braces intact is to eat soft foods. Yogurt, smoothies, pasta, and soft-cooked rice are all easy to chew and less likely to cause damage to the wires and brackets.
Eating summer fruits and vegetables also can be a great way to enjoy a sweet treat without having to worry about bad hygiene. Just remember to cut up big pieces to keep undue stress off your braces.
Staying hydrated and eating regularly also can help you keep your braces healthy. Drinking water over the summer is something you should do normally, but especially with braces, it can wash away food residue and other particles that stick around. Eating regular meals prevents those hunger-induced temptations to have too many non-braces-friendly foods.
The Bad
Hard and sticky foods like nuts, popcorn, and certain candies can break or damage your brackets and wires. Sticky foods like gum can get stuck in your braces and be difficult to remove.
Remember those sugary sodas and popsicles we mentioned? It’s best to limit those as they can promote tooth decay and enamel erosion, especially around your brackets where plaque can build up. From damage to cavities, avoiding these foods can keep you smiling all summer long.
On the Go With Braces
Summertime is for travel and fun! Enjoying the sights and sounds and new foods can be a blast, but remember to stay aware of keeping up with your braces. Don’t worry. At Orthodontics of South Miami, we’ve collected a few strategies to make sure you can have the best care away from home.
Keep A Portable Hygiene Kit
When on the go, you should keep a small kit for cleaning around your braces and between your teeth. Travel-sized toothpaste, a soft-bristled toothbrush, dental floss, orthodontic wax and a small mirror can make you smile bright without a full set-up.
Water Flossers
A portable water flosser is an excellent tool for maintaining your oral health on the go. Instead of bringing tons of dental floss, use a water flosser to remove debris from around your braces. From a hotel room to the back seat of a car, being able to floss quickly lets you enjoy the trip without a headache.
Regular Rinsing
When brushing isn’t an option, rinsing your mouth with water after meals can put up a small defense against plaque buildup. This can be a huge help, especially after having something sugary or starchy, which can cause more buildup.
Staying Consistent
While it might be hard to stay on top of your cleaning routine with braces while traveling, it’s more important than ever. Brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily are essential and shouldn’t be overlooked, even during travel.
Sunny Smiles at Orthodontics of South Miami
Navigating the summer with braces doesn’t have to be a challenge. With the right knowledge and tools, you can protect your smile and enjoy the sun! If you have any questions or are ready to start your own orthodontic treatment, reach out! Schedule your free consultation today to see us in Miami.