Whether your child is going for a sleepover at a friend’s house, spending the summer at camp, attending a family vacation or going off to university, there is no need to restrict their travel while they are wearing dental braces and appliances. However, there are some common problems that can occur, especially if your child is eating foods or engaging in activities that can damage their braces. Most of these issues are usually minor, and you and your child can often handle them on your own until an appointment can be made at the orthodontist’s office on their return home.
Preparing a braces emergency kit
If your child is travelling away from home, it is helpful to prepare and pack a braces emergency kit. This kit will help your child maintain their dental hygiene and address minor braces issues until your child can be seen by an orthodontist.
A braces emergency kit should include:
- A toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Dental wax
- Dental floss
- Floss threaders
- A compact mirror
- Nail clippers
- An interproximal brush
- Alcohol wipes
- Tissues
- A retainer case (if your child wears a retainer or invisible aligners) that is labeled with your child’s name and phone number
- Your child’s previous set of invisible aligners and their next tray (if your child wears invisible aligners)
- A mouthguard (if your child will be playing sports)
Store your child’s emergency kit tools and supplies in a well-ventilated container that has holes for air circulation and drainage to avoid bacteria growth.
Handling common braces issues
Below are some common braces issues that your child may experience while away from home and how to address them until your child can be seen by an orthodontist.
Sensitive teeth
If your child recently had their braces put on or adjusted, or they have a new tray of invisible aligners, their teeth may be sensitive and eating may be difficult. Your child can sip on cold drinks and eat soft foods like soup, applesauce and oatmeal until the pain goes away. They may also take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Irritation of the lips and cheeks
Your child’s braces may irritate their lips and cheeks, especially if your child recently had their braces put on. Your child may use dental wax to cover any brackets or wires that are bothering them. To apply the wax, tear off a small piece, warm it between the fingers and roll it into a ball. Cover the area of irritation with the ball of wax so that it feels completely smooth.
Broken or loose bracket
A bracket can often be broken or become loose if your child eats something hard or they get knocked in the mouth during sports. Your child will need to visit the orthodontist to repair this type of problem within the next few days or as soon as possible. If your child waits too long to repair the bracket, it may take longer for them to get their braces off, irritate their lips or gums, or become a choking hazard.
If the broken or loose bracket is near the front or middle of your child’s mouth:
- Dry the area with a tissue.
- Tear off a little piece of dental wax, warm it between the fingers, roll it into a ball and stick it over the bracket so it does not irritate the mouth.
If the broken or loose bracket is in the back of your child’s mouth:
- Carefully slide the bracket off the wire, if possible.
- Wash and sterilize nail clippers with an alcohol wipe, and carefully clip off any long piece of wire that may be left behind.
Poking wire
- Push the wire into a more comfortable position in the mouth with the eraser end of a pencil or the back of a spoon.
- If you cannot push the wire, dry the end with a tissue and place a small piece of dental wax over it.
- If the wire is poking your child after removing a broken bracket, use sterilized nail clippers to carefully clip it off.
Dental hygiene
Keeping up good dental hygiene practices is an important part of preventing issues with your child’s braces, retainer or invisible aligner. It is a good habit for your child to brush after every meal and snack to keep their braces or appliances clean and free of food debris. It is also important that your child floss regularly. This may be tricky, but floss threaders and an interproximal brush can help with this.
If your child wears a retainer or invisible aligner, they should brush it before and after use, and store it safely in a retainer case.
If your child cannot brush their teeth after a meal or snack, they can rinse their mouth out with water to get rid of food debris until they can do a more thorough cleaning.
Things to avoid when wearing braces
It is important your child avoids certain foods and activities to minimize damaging their dental braces and appliances.
If your child wears braces, they should avoid the following foods:
- Hard foods (e.g., nuts, hard candies)
- Chewy foods (e.g., bagels, granola bars, licorice)
- Crunchy foods (e.g., popcorn, chips, ice)
- Sticky foods (e.g., chewing gum, gummy bears, taffy)
- Foods that you bite into (e.g., corn on the cob, carrots, apples)—cut these foods into smaller pieces
If your child will be swimming or participating in physical contact activities, it is recommended that they not wear a retainer or invisible aligner. Your child should store their retainer or invisible aligner in a retainer case when it is not in use. Your child should wear a mouthguard if they have metal braces during any physical activity that may cause an injury to the mouth. Mouthguards can prevent or minimize serious injuries that may require a trip to the emergency room.
When to book an appointment with an orthodontist
Call your child’s orthodontist to book an appointment if your child has:
- A broken or loose bracket
- A broken or loose wire
- A protruding wire
- Mouth sores
- Lost their retainer or invisible aligner
When to see an emergency dentist
A trip to the emergency dentist is required if your child has:
- A chipped tooth
- A cracked tooth
- Lost a tooth
- Sustained a gum injury
When to seek emergency medical attention
Call 911 or take your child to the nearest emergency department if your child:
- Sustains a significant blow to the mouth causing injury due to a sporting activity or accident
- Is cut and bleeding heavily from the mouth
- Is bleeding from the head or has any symptoms of a concussion
- Has swallowed or inhaled a piece of a dental appliance, such as a bracket
Resources
Learning about Dental Care with Braces: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/abq2660
Dental Hygiene with Braces: https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/dental-hygiene-with-braces