With summer just around the corner, vacation is probably on your mind. Just because you’re amid a tooth straightening or correction treatment does not mean you cannot take a trip. With thorough knowledge of the things you’ll need to avoid and some advanced preparation, you can take your Invisalign in Vancouver or braces on the open road with you!
Table of Contents
- Getting Ready to Take a Trip—Your Pre-Trip Plan for Invisalign or Braces
- Packing for Your Trip—The Invisalign / Braces Checklist
- Caring for Your Invisalign or Braces—Keeping Your Treatment on Track While Away
- Planning for Emergencies—What to Do if Something Goes Wrong
- Why Trust PacificWest for Your Invisalign and Braces Treatment?
With summer just around the corner, vacation is probably on your mind. Just because you’re amid a tooth straightening or correction treatment does not mean you cannot take a trip. With thorough knowledge of the things you’ll need to avoid and some advanced preparation, you can take your Invisalign in Surrey or braces on the open road with you!
Getting Ready to Take a Trip—Your Pre-Trip Plan for Invisalign or Braces
To properly prepare for your vacation, it’s important to take into account whether your travels are taking you on a short trip or a long one. If you only plan to be gone for a short period, it is unlikely you will need to visit your orthodontist in Vancouver before you leave to adjust your treatment.
Longer trips sometimes interfere with your regularly scheduled appointments; however, this does not have to derail the good work you and your orthodontist are doing on your teeth. If your trip is long enough that you will miss a scheduled visit with your orthodontist, you can schedule a pre-trip session during which your doctor can make any adjustments you need. During this time, your doctor may also provide you with valuable tips as to how you can keep your Invisalign or braces in Vancouver on track while still enjoying your vacation to the fullest.
Planning to be away for longer than a month? Not a problem! Your orthodontist can plan and continue the movement of your teeth through the use of elastic or other methods.
Packing for Your Trip—The Invisalign / Braces Checklist
Though you can take a vacation from your everyday life and work, one thing you cannot leave behind is the proper care of your teeth and braces (or aligners). The same effort you put into maintaining your oral hygiene at home will still apply whether you are hiking through the mountains, lying on a beach, or attending a work conference.
One of the most important things you can do to set yourself up for success is to pack some snacks that you can enjoy that will not interfere with your Invisalign or braces. Among the best foods for those undergoing orthodontic treatment are:
- Seedless grapes, bananas, or other soft fruit
- Peppers (in small pieces), cucumber, and other soft vegetables
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Hummus with cut-up pita pieces
Having tasty snacks on hand that you enjoy will keep you from giving in to temptation and buying other things to eat that can pose problems for your Invisalign or braces. Some of the foods best avoided by braces wearers whether you are at home or on vacation are:
- Carbonated sugary drinks
- Bagels
- Pizza
- Hard fruits like whole apples
- Carrots
- Candies
- Lollipops or other hard candy
- Corn on the cob
- Steak
- Caramels
- Nuts
(Most of these foods can be consumed safely if you pre-cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces)
Once you’ve got your snacks taken care of, you’ll need to put together an oral hygiene kit that helps you take proper care of your Invisalign or braces in Surrey while away. Here is our checklist of must-have items before taking a trip:
- Your new Invisalign aligner if a change is required during your vacation
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Mouthwash
- Orthodontic flossers (for braces wearers)
- Orthodontic wax (for braces wearers)
- Pain medication such as Tylenol
- A small hand mirror
- Bottled water
Armed with the items on this checklist, you’ll be ready to take care of your Invisalign or braces whether your adventure takes you backwoods camping or to a 5-star resort.
Caring for Your Invisalign or Braces—Keeping Your Treatment on Track While Away
Your dental routine when on vacation should not change much from how you do things when you are at home. You will still need to brush your teeth following every meal, and flossing should be done at least once daily. If you are wearing Invisalign instead of braces, there will be an added temptation to “take a break” during your vacation from wearing the aligner. Don’t do that! Consistency is key, so make sure you continue to wear your Invisalign all the time, except when eating and brushing. Proper Invisalign maintenance is crucial to the success of your treatment, even while on holiday.
Your Surrey orthodontist is aware that you have to live a little, even during treatment with braces or Invisalign, so they fully expect you may have a few treats while away. However, enjoy these things in moderation and take care to avoid the things that could damage your aligners or metal braces. It is best to limit treats to things that aren’t especially hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky. These foods can cause wires on metal braces to snap or bend, making an emergency orthodontist’s visit necessary. So avoid these foods if possible.
Since you cannot brush your teeth after every snack when you’re out on the town, it is a good idea to keep a small bottle of water with you. This will allow you to rinse your mouth to get rid of any additional debris that may get stuck in your aligners or braces.
Planning for Emergencies—What to Do if Something Goes Wrong
For most people, their vacations proceed without any orthodontic emergencies. Still, these things can happen, and it’s important to know what to do if something goes wrong.
If you run into a problem with your aligners or braces while on vacation, don’t panic. The situation can be resolved the same way you would handle it if you were at home. For serious issues, simply call a local orthodontist and schedule an appointment to have the problem addressed.
For other issues not requiring an orthodontist, here are some tips to help you weather the storm:
- Poking wire
If a wire is sticking out and causing you pain, you can use the back of a spoon or a pencil eraser to move the wire away from the area it is affecting to a spot that is out of your way. If the wire is still bothering you, you can dry your teeth and then make a ball out of orthodontic wax to apply to the end of the wire. You can make small adjustments until the wire is no longer causing you pain.
- Sore or sensitive teeth
If travelling directly after an adjustment, you may find your teeth or gums are tender. The best way to handle this is to eat only soft foods and limit yourself to cold liquids. An over-the-counter pain reliever can help take the edge off any pain. If there is any swelling that is not going away, rinse your mouth with warm saltwater when back at your hotel or campsite, and consult the local dental professional as soon as possible.
- Lip or cheek pain
If wires or aligners are bothering your lips or cheeks, a warm saltwater rinse can help immeasurably. Orthodontic wax rolled into a ball and applied to the end of the wire may also help.
- Broken brackets
If the bracket is broken by the front or middle teeth, simply dry the tooth and apply orthodontic wax to the end of the wire to prevent it from irritating your gums or teeth. If the break is near the back of your mouth, you can simply remove the bracket entirely. Please keep any of the brackets that have fallen off and bring them back to the orthodontist to be glued back.
Going on vacation and worried about your Invisalign or Lingual braces? Don’t be! With a little extra planning and regular care, you can keep your treatment on track and have a great time!
Why Trust PacificWest for Your Invisalign and Braces Treatment?
At PacificWest, our orthodontist specialists will do everything to ensure your braces or Invisalign treatment will be successful. By providing a high standard of care and an unwavering commitment to service, PacificWest is one of the highest-rated orthodontic clinics in both Vancouver and Surrey. Thinking it’s time to improve your smile? Wondering if Invisalign is right for you? Contact the PacificWest Dental team now at 604-558-0993. Your perfect smile is just a call away!
Hello! I’m Dr. Kevin Lee, a certified orthodontic specialist at PacificWest Dental Group, proudly serving the vibrant communities of Vancouver and Surrey. My journey into orthodontics began back in high school. As a teenager wearing braces, I became fascinated by the intricate blend of art, engineering, and biology that defines this field. This early experience ignited a passion that has guided me throughout my career.
I pursued my academic journey at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry in 2006, followed by a Doctor of Dental Medicine in 2011. After a year-long residency at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, I returned to UBC to complete a combined Master of Science in Craniofacial Biology and a Diploma in Orthodontics in 2015. That same year, I achieved certification from both the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and the American Board of Orthodontics.
With over a decade of clinical experience, I remain deeply committed to staying at the forefront of orthodontic advancements. At PacificWest Dental Group, we prioritize personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs, ensuring comfort and care every step of the way. Our goal is to help you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Outside the clinic, I enjoy engaging with our community and staying active. Whether it’s through local events or outdoor activities, I believe in building strong relationships both inside and outside the office. I look forward to meeting you and working together to create a beautiful, confident smile.
Services we provide:
-Invisalign
-Braces
-Lingual Braces
-Digital treatment planning
-TMJ and headpain treatment
-Laser Therapy
-Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance
-Dysport Cosmetic Injectables
