Taking Care of Your Orthodontics This Summer: Keep Your Smile on Track All Season Long

Summer brings a welcome break from routine, with long days, warm weather, and plenty of opportunities to relax, travel, and socialize. Whether you’re heading to the beach, camping in the mountains, or just enjoying more free time, it’s easy to let regular habits slide—including your orthodontic care.

At Orthodontics of Santa Barbara, we know how important this season is for our patients, especially those in active treatment. Summer fun shouldn’t mean setbacks for your smile! With the right strategies, you can enjoy every moment of the season while keeping your braces or aligners clean, secure, and progressing exactly as planned.

Why Summer Can Be Tricky for Orthodontic Care

Vacations, shifting schedules, and seasonal snacks can all affect your orthodontic treatment if you’re not prepared. Here are a few of the most common summer-specific challenges:

• Traveling or being away from home and forgetting oral hygiene tools or appliances
• Eating hard, crunchy, or sticky foods at barbecues and parties that can damage braces
• Disrupted routines that make it harder to remember to brush, floss, or wear aligners and elastics
• Playing sports or outdoor activities without mouthguards
• Increased sugar and acid exposure from sodas, lemonade, and popsicles

Fortunately, most of these issues can be avoided with a little planning—and a few summer-specific adjustments to your care routine.

Daily Summer Habits That Keep Treatment on Track

Even if your schedule changes, your orthodontic care shouldn’t. Make these habits part of your summer routine to protect your investment and keep your treatment progressing:

Brush and Floss—No Matter Where You Are

Summer often means late nights, long days at the beach, and impromptu sleepovers or road trips. Don’t let those moments derail your hygiene routine.

• Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss once daily , using a floss threader or water flosser if you wear braces
• Use an interdental brush or proxy brush to clean around brackets
• Carry a travel kit so you’re prepared anywhere (more on that below!)

Pro Tip: If brushing right after a meal isn’t possible, rinse your mouth with water until you can clean properly.

Keep an Orthodontic Travel Kit Handy

No matter where summer takes you, a well-stocked kit will help you care for your braces or aligners on the go.

What to include:

• Travel toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
• Floss picks or floss threader
• Orthodontic wax (for poking wires or rough brackets)
• Aligner case (if applicable)
• Mouthwash or water bottle for rinsing
• Extra rubber bands
• Small mirror
• Pain reliever (if you experience mild soreness)

Keep this kit in your beach bag, car, backpack, or suitcase—so it’s with you whenever you need it.

What to Eat (and Avoid) This Summer

Summer is packed with delicious seasonal food—but not all of it is orthodontic-approved. Here’s how to enjoy the flavors of summer while protecting your appliances:

Braces-Safe Foods:

• Soft fruits like melon, berries, and bananas
• Grilled vegetables like zucchini, peppers, and sweet potatoes
• Pasta and rice dishes
• Ice cream (without hard mix-ins) , pudding, or yogurt
• Soft grilled meats like pulled chicken or fish
• Smoothies and milkshakes
• Baked beans and soft rolls

Foods to Avoid with Braces:

• Corn on the cob (cut kernels off instead)
• Hard chips, pretzels, or popcorn
• Sticky candies like taffy, caramel, or gummy worms
• Nuts and seeds
• Tough or crunchy bread (like baguettes or pizza crust)
• Raw carrots and apples (unless sliced thin or cooked)

For clear aligners: Remove them before eating or drinking anything other than water, and rinse your mouth before putting them back in.

Orthodontic Safety During Summer Sports

Summer is the season for hiking, surfing, soccer, skating, and everything in between. If you're wearing braces or aligners, it's important to protect your smile during all your adventures.

Wear a Mouthguard

A properly fitted orthodontic mouthguard can prevent serious injuries if you fall or experience impact during:

• Soccer
• Mountain biking
• Skateboarding
• Baseball/softball
• Surfing or bodyboarding
• Basketball

If you're wearing aligners, ask us about mouthguard options that work with your trays—or remove your aligners and use a standard guard during play.

Aligners and Summer Travel: What You Need to Know

If you’re using Invisalign® or another clear aligner system, summer can be one of the most flexible times to stay on track—if you plan ahead.

Before you travel:

• Pack your current and next set of aligners
• Bring your aligner case and a spare
• Keep trays in your carry-on (not checked luggage)
• Bring aligner cleaning crystals or gentle cleaning supplies
• Continue wearing aligners 20–22 hours a day—even on vacation

Lost or damaged a tray? Call us. We can often advise you to move forward or revert to the previous set until you return.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

Even with careful planning, orthodontic emergencies can happen. Here’s how to manage the most common ones:

Poking Wire

Apply wax and call us if it doesn’t resolve. You can use a pencil eraser to gently push it back into place.

Loose Bracket

If still attached to the wire, leave it in place and secure it with wax. If completely detached, save it and bring it to your next appointment.

Lost Aligner

Wear your previous tray until you can reach us or until we can send a replacement. Never skip ahead without checking first.

Sore Teeth or Gums

Use a saltwater rinse and over-the-counter pain reliever. Soft foods and cool drinks can help ease discomfort after adjustments or new trays.

Stay Connected With Your Orthodontist

Heading out of town for more than a few weeks? Let us know in advance. We may be able to:

• Schedule an extra appointment before you leave
• Provide extra supplies like rubber bands or wax
• Adjust your aligner schedule or give you the next set early
• Offer virtual check-ins to monitor your progress from afar

We want to support you in staying consistent—even from a distance.

Keep Your Smile on Schedule

Staying consistent with your treatment during summer doesn’t mean giving up the fun. By building new habits into your flexible routine, you can make serious progress while still enjoying the freedom of the season.

Quick checklist for staying on track:

• Brush and floss daily—even when you’re traveling
• Eat only braces-safe foods and avoid appliance-damaging snacks
• Wear aligners and rubber bands as instructed
• Carry your oral hygiene kit everywhere
• Call us if you experience a problem
• Schedule a checkup if you’re due for a visit

Celebrate Summer with a Smile That Shines

Summer is all about growth, adventure, and connection—and there’s no reason your orthodontic care should get in the way. In fact, it’s the perfect season to build great habits, make progress, and feel proud of your treatment journey. With just a little planning, your braces or aligners can move right along with you, no matter where the season takes you.

At Orthodontics of Santa Barbara, we’re here to help you keep your smile healthy and your treatment on track all summer long. Whether you’re preparing for travel, attending summer camp, or just need a seasonal check-in, we’re ready to support you with personalized, expert care. Call us today to schedule your next visit, get travel tips, or ask about braces-friendly snacks. Let’s make this summer one to smile about!