Summer is filled with vacations, pool days, sports, camps, and family gatherings. While all that fun can change your family’s daily routine, it doesn’t have to slow your child’s orthodontic treatment. A few healthy habits can help protect braces and personalized clear aligners while keeping treatment on schedule all summer long.
At Orthodontic Specialists in St. George, Dr. Jeff Erickson encourages families to enjoy everything summer has to offer while continuing the healthy habits that support successful orthodontic treatment.
Choose Summer Treats That Are Braces-Friendly
Summer often brings backyard barbecues, fairs, road trips, and sweet treats. While it’s fine to enjoy seasonal favorites, some foods are more likely to damage braces or interfere with orthodontic treatment.
If your child wears braces, avoid:
- Hard candies
- Sticky candy, taffy, or caramel
- Cotton candy
- Chewing on ice
- Unpopped popcorn kernels
- Corn on the cob
- Caramel or candied apples
Instead, consider braces-friendly summer treats such as:
- Soft ice cream or frozen yogurt
- Fruit smoothies
- Slushies or shaved ice
- Yogurt popsicles
- Watermelon or ripe peaches
- Corn cut off the cob instead of biting directly into it
- Slices of apples with caramel sauce
Making a few simple substitutions can help prevent broken brackets and keep orthodontic treatment on track throughout the summer.
Help Them Stay Hydrated
Hot southern Utah summers make staying hydrated especially important.
Water is the best beverage for children and teens wearing braces or personalized clear aligners. It helps rinse away food particles, supports saliva production, and contains no sugar or acids that can contribute to tooth decay.
During hot St. George summers, it can be more tempting for children and teens to reach for sports drinks, sodas, lemonade, frozen drinks, and energy drinks. Many of these beverages contain sugar, acids, or both, which can increase the risk of cavities and enamel wear. Choosing water whenever possible is one of the best ways to protect your child’s teeth while staying hydrated.
If you’d like to learn more about how energy drinks can affect teeth, read our blog, Energy Drinks and Cavities: What Parents Need to Know.
Keep Brushing and Flossing on Schedule
One of the biggest challenges during summer is maintaining a consistent routine.
Later bedtimes, vacations, camps, and sleepovers can make it easy to skip brushing or flossing. Keeping oral hygiene tied to regular daily activities rather than the clock can help children stay on track.
Helpful reminders include:
- Brush after meals and before bedtime with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss every day using floss threaders or other orthodontic flossing aids if your child has braces.
- Clean personalized clear aligners every day according to your orthodontist’s instructions.
- Pack a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and orthodontic supplies for vacations, camps, and sleepovers.
- If brushing isn’t possible after enjoying a snack or drink, encourage your child to rinse with water until they can brush their teeth.
Keeping teeth and gums healthy during orthodontic treatment can help prevent cavities, reduce plaque buildup around brackets, and keep your child’s smile progressing in the right direction. For additional tips on caring for braces and orthodontic appliances, visit the American Association of Orthodontists.
Keep Clear Aligners on Schedule
Summer schedules can be unpredictable, but clear aligners work best when they are worn as directed.
Whether your child wears personalized clear aligners or another clear aligner system, such as Invisalign®, wearing the aligners consistently is one of the most important factors in keeping orthodontic treatment on track.
A few simple habits can help:
- Always store aligners in their protective case when they’re removed.
- Never wrap aligners in a napkin during meals, where they can easily be thrown away.
- Remove aligners only for eating and drinking anything other than water.
- Clean aligners every day before putting them back in.
Protect Your Smile During Summer Activities
Summer is a busy season for sports, biking, skateboarding, hiking, and outdoor adventures.
If your child participates in contact sports or activities where falls are possible, wearing a properly fitted orthodontic mouthguard can help protect teeth, braces, lips, and gums from injury.
A mouthguard is a simple way to help prevent unexpected dental injuries while allowing your child to continue enjoying summer activities.
For more information about mouthguards read our blog: Mouthguards, 5 Reasons They Are Essential for Sports.
Keep Orthodontic Treatment Moving Forward This Summer
Summer vacations and flexible schedules can make it easier to schedule orthodontic appointments without missing school. Whenever possible, keep adjustment visits on the calendar so treatment continues progressing as planned.
If you will be traveling for an extended period, let our Orthodontic Specialists team know in advance. We can help you plan around your trip and make sure you have any supplies you may need, such as orthodontic wax, extra elastics, or other items specific to your child’s treatment.
Summer is also an excellent time to schedule a consultation or a Kid’s Club Growth Check before the busy school year begins.
Healthy Summer Habits Lead to keeping teeth Healthy Smiles
Summer is a wonderful time for making memories, and a few healthy habits can help keep your child’s orthodontic treatment on track. By making smart food choices, staying hydrated, maintaining good oral hygiene, protecting braces during activities, and keeping appointments, your child can enjoy summer while staying on track toward a healthy, confident smile.
If you have questions about braces, personalized clear aligners, or your child’s orthodontic treatment, schedule an appointment with Orthodontic Specialists in St. George. Dr. Jeff Erickson and our team are here to help your family keep treatment moving forward all year long.
Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Braces Tips
What should my child pack for orthodontic care while traveling?
A small travel kit can make orthodontic care much easier away from home. Include a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, floss or floss threaders, orthodontic wax, extra elastics if prescribed, and a protective case for clear aligners.
Can my child chew ice if they have braces?
No. Chewing ice can damage brackets and wires and may even chip a tooth. It’s best to let ice melt before drinking or choose chilled beverages without chewing the ice.
What should we do if a clear aligner is lost during vacation?
Contact your orthodontist as soon as possible. Depending on your child’s stage of treatment, you may be instructed to wear the previous set of aligners, move to the next set, or schedule an appointment after returning home.
Does my child need a mouthguard if they already have braces?
Yes. Children who play contact sports or participate in activities with a risk of falls should wear an orthodontic mouthguard to help protect their braces, teeth, and soft tissues.
Can summer vacations delay orthodontic treatment?
They can if appointments are missed or aligners are not worn consistently. Planning and keeping up with daily orthodontic habits can help treatment stay on schedule throughout the summer.
