Summer break in Middle Tennessee is well underway, and as a mom of three daughters, I am looking at the calendar and our “appointment to do” list trying to make sure I get all of the necessary appointments in before school starts back in August. Too many summers have gone by with August’s arrival finding me scrambling to try to get everything crammed in the week before school starts – along with A LOT of other parents.
One thing I learned, quite by accident was the benefit of planning for orthodontic treatments to begin over the summer. A few years ago, one of my daughters was recommended for Phase I braces, or early braces. Not having ever ventured into the world of orthodontics as a parent, the putting off until summer to have her evaluation and treatment begin was honestly more for my own mental comfort. It turned out to benefit both of us.
BENEFITS OF BEGINNING ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT OVER THE SUMMER
- The appointments for evaluations, initial bonding of the braces, and follow-ups don’t equal missed time from school.
- Initial pain from the braces can happen at home doing fun and distracting activities rather than sitting in the classroom.
- Eating soft foods and getting used to a braces friendly diet is easier at home.
- You can help your child get into a routine for keeping their teeth clean.
Once your child is settled into orthodontic treatment, it will be time for summer camp or that long awaited family vacation. Now that we have one summer under our belts with two girls in braces, I have a few ideas of how to best prepare our family for our time out of town this year.
SIMPLE OUT OF TOWN TIPS
- Pack an oral hygiene kit that includes some proxy brushes.
- Have bottled water on hand to swish excess food out from between brackets or after sugary drinks.
- Keep a small amount of orthodontic wax in case a wire or bracket begins to poke.
- Have the number to your orthodontist in the case that something comes undone.
- Make sure to have rubber bands/elastics packed.
The one final, and maybe the most important – ok, other than brushing – tip is to not take a vacation from the foods you are supposed to stay away from with traditional braces. Nothing is worse than being out of town with broken brackets or a poking wire.
FOODS TO AVOID WITH BRACES
- Gummy and sticky candies
- Corn on the cob
- Bagels
- Hard candy
- Carmel/Candied Apples
- Popcorn
While there are many soft and safe foods to enjoy over the summer, it is best to keep away from crunchy and sticky foods. Cutting food into smaller pieces allows you to enjoy more foods that would be a problem if you were biting directly into them, resulting in a smile full of food.
Summer can be the best time of the year, and planning ahead to make appointments and be prepared while out of town can make for smooth sailing!
What appointments do you have on your summer calendar?
Our orthodontic experience is at Starling Orthodontics in Brentwood, where we are receiving discounted orthodontic treatment in exchange for an honest review of my experience. All information and content are an honest review of my experience.