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Oral health is crucial year-round, but with relaxed schedules and travel plans during summer, this can disrupt dental or orthodontic care. Plaque can form on your teeth anytime and cause cavities, permanent marks, and gum disease.

For those who might relax their oral care habits over the summer, remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss daily. Use a proxy brush to clean between braces, and don’t forget to brush after breakfast or lunch. All of these steps can ensure you stay on top of your dental health.

If you're traveling this summer, packing the right oral hygiene items is crucial. Make sure you bring the following items: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, proxy brush, wax, elastics, retainers, and aligners. If you are out and cannot brush your teeth right away, at least rinse and swish your mouth with water until you are able to brush.

If you have any dental appliances, be sure to take extra care of them when you are away. Always carry your aligner or retainer case. There are only two places your retainer should be, either in your mouth or in its case. Brush your aligners whenever you brush your teeth, scrubbing inside and out with your toothbrush and water. And remember, do not leave them in a hot car during the summer.

In the event of a dental emergency while on vacation or out of town, bring wax with you. If something gets loose or pokey, use the wax to cover up the sharp area until you come in. If a wire is sticking out, you can use a fingernail clipper to cut it. Cover the end with wax if it is still sharp.

Speaking of dental appliances, Summer is a great time to think about getting braces or clear aligners or replacing worn out retainers. You can have extra time to get used to your new appliances before school starts.

We hope you have a wonderful and safe summer, and we will see you at your next dental appointment!

Summer means sun and heat and delicious, frosty treats to keep you cool while you’re enjoying the sun and heat. If you’re wearing braces this summer, not to worry! Dr. Kathleen Chan and Dr. Ivy Chen and our team have plenty of ideas for icy treats to help you beat the heat.

• Fruit Smoothies

Low on refined sugars, high on vitamins and minerals, refreshing, delicious, easy on brackets and wires—what’s not to like about fruit smoothies? And if you want to up the nutritional value by adding some green vegetables to the blender, even better!

If you’re buying your smoothie instead of making it yourself, watch out for added sugars in ingredients like ice cream, sherbet, frozen yogurt, and sweetened fruit juice. It can be more challenging to keep your teeth clean with braces, so watching your sugar intake is more important than ever. Try a smoothie made with low-fat yogurt, fruits and/or vegetables, and 100% fruit juice instead. Just as delicious, without extra tablespoons of added sugar.

• Iced (Herbal, Green, or White) Tea & Frozen Coffee Treats

Coffee and black tea contain compounds called tannins, which can stain tooth enamel and braces. Using a straw can help you limit your enamel’s exposure. If you enjoy a cold, iced beverage occasionally, consider green, white, or herbal iced teas. They don’t stain as much, and many contain healthy antioxidants and other health benefits.

And if you can’t resist that creamy iced coffee beverage? Use a straw to avoid bathing your teeth in the stain-causing tannins and enamel-weakening acids found in coffee. Because these drinks can be full of added sugars, consider reduced-sugar options and skip the toppings.

• Frozen Treats

When you hear that familiar tune coming from the neighborhood ice cream truck, do you have to stand on the sidewalk, sadly watching it disappear into the distance? Not necessarily!

Milk shakes, ice cream, and frozen yogurt are a refreshing choice in a braces-friendly form—and they contain calcium. Popsicles and fruit bars can be a safe choice if you don’t bite into solid ice. You wouldn’t chew on ice because it could damage your braces, so make sure your frozen bar softens a bit before you enjoy it.

What kinds of frozen treats to avoid? If your favorite flavor of ice cream or your go-to ice cream bar contains hard or chewy additions like nuts and pieces of candy, choose another item from the menu. Surrounding nuts and candies with ice cream doesn’t actually make them any safer for your brackets and wires, and may lead to an unplanned visit to our Andover orthodontic office to fix a broken bracket.

We don’t recommend a steady diet of sweet treats, because you want a cavity-free smile when your braces come off. And water is always an excellent summertime choice for both hydration and health. But an occasional frosty dessert is cool and tasty and soothing, especially if you’ve just had an adjustment. Just be sure to brush—or rinse with water if you can’t brush—after indulging. Now, what’s on the menu for fall?

Braces can straighten your teeth to give you a more attractive smile for life. The process can take 18 months to two years or more, and this amount of time can seem unending when you first get your braces. Counting down your brace time can help the time pass more quickly and build the excitement for when you finally get your braces removed.

Make a Wall Calendar

Crossing out each day on a calendar is a standard way of counting down time. You can make this more personal by designing your own calendar to help you count down. Use an online customization service to upload photos or designs for each month. Each month’s picture can also display the number of months remaining until you expect your braces to come off.

Schedule Rewards

When you receive regular rewards for continuing to wear your braces, they can seem less burdensome. Plan to buy yourself a reward every month that you wear your braces for the duration of the treatment. The time will pass much faster when you feel you are earning rewards for your patience.

Lengthen a Paper Chain

Use strips of paper to make the links of your chain, and add a new link each week to lengthen the chain. Before sealing each new strip of paper into a circle, write on it a reason why you are getting your teeth straightened, or an event in the future when you will appreciate your straight teeth as you smile.

Use a Wall Hanging

Purchase a large pad of blank white paper. Write a “0” on the bottom sheet and a “1” on the next, and continue until you reach the number of days remaining in your treatment. Rip off the top sheet each day to see how many days are left and remind yourself of the progress you are making.

Find a Buddy

If any of your friends get braces around the same time as you, share the experience. Make a pact to celebrate each trip to Chan & Chen Orthodontics when one of you receives news about your progress.

We are super excited that summer is just around the corner. Our team members are already gearing up for summer adventures! Some are planning camping trips, visits to the lake or beach, and cherished moments with family. There’s excitement in the air as kids return home from college, ready to enjoy their break.

To mark the start of summer we are celebrating with a raffle in the office to win a gift basket filled with goodies to help you enjoy the summer! The gift basket includes a beach bag, water bottle, beach blanket, towel, books, sun protection products, and floats. To enter the contest, like and follow us on social media and enter a comment about what you are looking forward to this summer.

Now that everyone is starting to get out of school, scheduling appointments may become a bit harder, especially if you are planning on going on vacation. If you plan on getting any major dental work done this summer, we recommend having a few days between a large adjustment and going on vacation. Give yourself some time to adapt to any new appliances and for the soreness to subside before going on a big trip. While away, be careful not to chomp down on hard, crunchy foods or sticky, chewy foods. Bring some extra wax in case something becomes loose or starts poking.

Our practice will be closed for July 4th, but appointments will be available from Monday to Thursday during July. Remember to see your general dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings. Summer is a popular time for older teens to have their wisdom teeth evaluated. 

And before you leave for vacation this summer, remember:

1. During the sunny months, lips can easily get sunburned. Remember to apply lip balm with sunscreen and stay well-hydrated, especially when outdoors for extended periods.
2. Consistent oral hygiene is crucial, even while traveling. Ensure you brush and floss daily, particularly after indulging in sweets or sugary drinks.
3. A travel toothbrush and proxy brush can be your best companions on the go.
4. Instead of sugary frozen treats, opt for healthy, cool summer snacks. Enjoy cucumbers with hummus or yogurt, celery with peanut butter, and the season’s bounty of fruit like berries, cherries, peaches, melons, and mangoes.

Enjoy the season with good oral health habits and make the most of your summer plans!