Summertime is just around the corner, bringing plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun from beach trips to baseball games to backyard picnics and cookouts. There’s also plenty of time to just kick back and do absolutely nothing without the daily routine of the school year. But if you wear color braces or clear braces, there are still some rules and routines you’re going to want to keep in mind, even in the summer. By keeping up with your oral hygiene routine – and protecting your mouth and braces – you can help preserve all the work you’ve put into your future smile. 

Make smart food choices

Since so much of our summer activities revolve around food, it’s important to keep in mind that wearing color or clear braces may limit some of your food choices. But it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself! As a general rule, you’ll want to avoid anything sticky, crunchy, or chewy while you’re in braces. Hard or crunchy foods like popcorn, raw vegetables, nuts, or chips are all a potential risk. Same goes for things you bite into, like corn on the cob or apples. Sticky foods like bubble gum, chewy candy, or marshmallows are definitely not a good idea, since they can get stuck in or behind your color braces, making it harder to keep your teeth healthy and clean. At the end of the day, you gotta eat and we want you to enjoy every bite - so, your orthodontist(s) at Ortho South recommend above all else just being careful how you are eating your food even more than what you are eating! If you are careful how you are eating the likelihood of breaking a bracket is very small.

Great Summer Food Choices

Corn, cut off the cob

Brisket, chopped pork

Sweet potatoes

Buffalo chicken wings

Hamburger or veggie burger

Potato salad

Chocolate

Play it safe

Summer means lots of time outside, whether at the park, the beach, or the backyard. Spontaneous games of softball or pick-up basketball are just as likely to result in injury as organized sports, so it’s important to remember to wear a bite guard or helmet. Even if you’re not playing a contact sport, a ball or frisbee to the face can damage brackets or cause cuts inside your mouth from stray wires.  

Of course, if you plan to participate in any organized sports over the summer, talk to your orthodontist about any specific precautions you should take to make sure your teeth and your braces are well protected.

Be prepared

Whether it’s a day trip or a vacation, it’s always worthwhile to have a small bag of necessities wherever you go. That way it’s always convenient to keep up with your oral hygiene routine. Along with a soft-bristled toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and floss, be sure to include other helpful items like:

• Orthodontic wax
• An over-the-counter pain reliever in case you have any braces-related swelling or soreness (be sure to check with your orthodontist if the problem persists though!)
• A couple of unsharpened pencils with erasers to reposition any protruding wires 

Do not skimp on summer oral hygiene routine

Summer is made for being lazy and breaking free from the structure of school and other scheduled activities. While late-night snack binges and cold pizza for breakfast are no big deal when you don’t have to get up in the morning, it’s still important – maybe even more important – to maintain your usual brushing and flossing routine. Be sure and brush every time you eat, then brush and floss thoroughly before bed. Summer is for relaxing a bit, but for the sake of your smile, be sure to keep your oral hygiene routine on track.

If you’ve been considering whether or not color braces or clear braces are right for you, this summer is the perfect time to find yourself one step closer to a smile you’ll absolutely love! If braces or not for you, the clear, easy to use and wear aligners, like Invisalign or Shift Aligners, may be the right choice for you!  Contact our team of smile experts and orthodontists (Dr. Brandon Boggan and Dr. Zehra Syed) at Ortho South today to request a time for a FREE consultation!