What with school and jobs, most orthodontic patients lead busy lives that keep them away from home throughout the day. The following are some essential or just plain practical supplies you should keep on hand to care for your braces when you're on-the-go.
Dr. Kanani and his team typically advise patients to build themselves what amounts to a small “braces kit” that’s portable and easy to store, so that they always have easy access to the items they need to care for their braces when they're not at home.
To create your braces kit, first find yourself a small pouch, bag or case to store everything in one spot. Choose something compact and durable that's easy to grab and go, and easy to store neatly in your school locker, purse, backpack, briefcase, or in a drawer in your desk at work.
You’ll find the following products useful to have on hand while on the go during your orthodontic treatment.
Hygiene Products
It’s important to clean your teeth and braces thoroughly after each meal and snack while you’re wearing braces. This keeps them free from debris and prevents plaque (and subsequently dental decay) from forming. The following items will help you do just that while on the go:
- A small tube of toothpaste
- A travel tooth brush
- Dental floss or disposable flossers
- Anti-bacterial mouthwash
- Dental picks
- Hand wipes (so you can clean your hands before brushing and flossing)
- A small hand-held mirror
Pain Management
There will be times during treatment when your braces will cause you some discomfort. This can happen after adjustment appointments, or as a result of the friction of your braces against the inside of you lips and cheeks. The following items will help you quickly and efficiently deal with any pain or discomfort you're feeling on the go:
- Lip balm (to prevent chapping)
- Ibuprofen (or other anti-inflammatory pain relief tablets)
- Dental wax or lip protectors
- Pain relief rinse packets (like Rincinol)
Miscellaneous Items
Your Orthodontist’s Office Phone Number
If you have an orthodontic emergency, such as damage to your braces or orthodontic appliance, or an oral injury, you should call your orthodontist's office as soon as possible. We’ll be able to book you in on the same day and take care of the problem.
Braces-Friendly Snacks
Getting hungry on the go can be a bit of a problem for orthodontics patients, as many snacks are off limits for them. Having something with you to snack on that won’t damage your braces will help you get through the day between meals.
Try:
- Cottage cheese
- Yogurt cups (sugar free only!)
- Steamed edamame
- Soft vegetables like peppers or cucumbers
- Soft fruit like grapes, bananas, or melon cubes
- Pita slices with hummus, salsa or guacamole
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Avocado with sea salt and pepper
Have Invisalign or a Retainer? Don’t Forget Your Case!
You should always have your aligner/retainer case with you, so that you have somewhere to put your orthodontic appliance when you need to eat, brush or floss. Your retainer or aligners should never be stored anywhere other than in their case; wrapping them in a napkin or placing them absent-mindedly on your lunch tray is a really easy way to lose of damage them.
