summer

School's out, and summer is finally here! While you're soaking up the sun and having fun, don't forget to take care of your smile. Here are some easy tips to maintain healthy and strong teeth throughout the summer, whether you have orthodontic treatment or not!

1. Brush and Floss Like You Mean It

Just because you're on summer break doesn't mean you get a break from brushing and flossing. Keep up your regular routine of brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. And don't forget to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or sooner if the bristles get frayed. Choose soft bristles. If you are a braces patient at Hester & Morris Orthodontics, then you know how much we prioritize brushing your teeth!

2. Choose Summer Snacks Wisely

Summer means BBQs, picnics, the pool, and lots of yummy treats. But some of your favorite snacks can be tough on your teeth. Even for Invisalign patients. Try to limit sugary drinks and snacks, and opt for healthier choices like fruits, veggies, and cheese instead. And if you do indulge, make sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward. Our braces patients can find a list of foods they should be avoiding here.

3. Don't Use Your Teeth as Tools

It can be tempting to use your teeth to open packages or loosen bottle caps, but this can put a lot of pressure on your teeth and even cause them to crack. Instead, try a small pair of scissors or a bottle opener with you.

4. Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is good for your whole body, including your mouth. Staying hydrated helps keep your mouth moist and wash away any lingering food bits. Aim to drink at least 8 cups (64 ounces) of water a day.

5. Don't Forget Your Check-Up

Even though it's summer, it's still important to see your dentist for a regular check-up. A lot of time parents try to schedule these appointments because you're out of school. They can catch any small problems before they become big issues. Plus, a professional cleaning will leave your smile feeling squeaky clean!

6. Wear a Mouthguard if You Play Sports

If you play sports such as soccer, go hiking, or engage in a pick-up game of basketball, always remember to wear a mouthguard. This will protect your teeth from getting chipped or knocked out in case of a fall. Additionally, it's crucial to take all necessary precautions when using ATV equipment. We have seen too many patients in our office following accidents. Stay safe!

By following these simple tips, you can keep your smile healthy and strong all summer long.

Tell us in the comments what fun things you have planned for summer! Happy smiling!

Tips for traveling with braces!

Summertime means a lot of busy people are on the go! So whether you’re getting out of town for a quick weekend trip or taking a full-fledged vacation, if you or your child wears braces, you definitely want to be prepared!

 

Here are a few tips to help make your next adventure easy on your braces and full of smiles.

 

1. Make sure you keep any scheduled orthodontic appointments close to your time going out of town.

 

In orthodontics, these days, patients don’t have to come in for check-ups as often. 

 

However, giving your braces a quick once-over is good to ensure no loose brackets or long wires are present. These issues tend to worsen and cause discomfort.

 

 So if you have an appointment close to your vacation, make every effort to keep it just in case of minor repairs or tweaking.

 

2. Have your braces-friendly travel essentials!

 

When you’re going on a trip out of town, be sure to have a basic travel kit that will keep all the supplies you may need for your braces. It should include:

• Travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste
• Extra rubber bands
• Proxy or Christmas tree brush
• Floss and floss threader,
• Orthodontic wax
• A small mirror
• Nail clippers and tweezers
• And over-the-counter pain relievers

Be sure to refer to our page on how to treat orthodontic emergencies at home or on the go!

 

3. Continue with your home care routine, away from home!

 

Vacation is a fun time to relax and get away from everything physically and mentally, but it’s not a time to slack on your dental home care routine. 

Make sure you brush and floss regularly, and steer clear of any foods to avoid with braces. We give lists of these foods to all our patients when they get their braces on, but more information can also be found on our website.

Also, be sure to check out this fun TikTok as a reminder.

 

A few extra tips!

 

In the absence of a mirror, a cell phone camera works great!

 

 You can also use your phone to remind yourself about wearing your rubber bands and ensuring that you have brushed.

 

 Finally, Contrary to popular belief, your braces will not set off a metal detector - so you can relax when getting ready to board transportation.

 

Have you ever had a braces-related mishap while traveling? Leave us a comment and share your experiences and tips for traveling with braces

[caption id="attachment_68" align="alignnone" width="200"] Beautiful summertime smiles thanks to Hester & Morris![/caption]

The weather is warm and school is out… summer is here!

Most people automatically think of vacations and activities to keep the kiddos busy, but in the middle of all the fun is the best opportunity in the entire year for kids and teens to begin their braces or Invisalign journey.

Here’s why:

Scheduling is easy!

Summer brings a more relaxed routine for many families with breaks from sports and activities, AND SCHOOL - which frees parents up for making needed appointments.

Time to get used to the process!

Starting with braces over the summer means your child or teen will have those first couple of weeks to get comfortable with the look and feel of brackets. Summertime also gives them the extra time needed to get good at knowing which foods to avoid before heading back to the cafeteria.

Invisalign takes a few weeks from scan to delivery since each set of aligners is custom-designed by our doctors to your child’s unique treatment goals (thank you, 3D technology!!). Starting early in the summer gives your teen a chance to get into a good aligner-wear routine, which will set them up for the best possible outcome overall.

Start the new school year, with a smile!

We know you love taking the first day of school pics of your kids! What better way to capture their smile progress as well than to show off their cute brace faces or cool aligner cases. Consider it dual milestones for you to look back on!

While it’s always a great time for children and teens to begin with Invisalign or braces, we think summertime is the best time! Watch their confidence soar as they prepare for the next school year with their daily improving smile!

What time of year did your child begin their smile journey? Share your experiences!

Finish strong!!!

Summer is coming, and with that is the opportunity to relax and let things slide a bit. Just make sure that when it comes to your smile, you don’t slack on those treatment goals! Here are a few ways to avoid the summer slump!
• Keep your scheduled appointments to keep your treatment time on track! For every missed or rescheduled appointment, you are delaying your completion date. Miss a few appointments, and you can soon find yourself several weeks and even months behind in your estimated treatment time!
• Stay consistent with your aligners and elastic wear! Set reminders if you have to!! Getting out of that school day routine can mean you're at home more and not always wearing your aligners or elastic bands for their recommended time each day.
• Sending us those weekly check-ins are SO important to your overall Invisalign success. We provide support when you need it… That’s why we’re here! In the event that we see something to be concerned about, we will let you know right away and try to prevent a problem from developing. Read more about our digital appointments here!

What are your tips for staying on track this Summer?

Your smile day is coming! It will be worth it in the end. So meanwhile... Stay Summer strong!

PC: Ava Rothrock courtesy of mom and Captured by Colson Photography.