Before going on vacation, Singaporeans would do well to follow the list of dental tips:
1. Prepare a dental kit
To ensure that one does not miss out any important dental devices/appliances, one should prepare a dental kit prior to travelling. A checklist of items to include in this dental kit are as follows:
- Toothbrush
- Floss
- Interdental cleaners
- Toothpaste
- Tongue Scraper
- Mouth rinse
- Orthodontic wax to minimise discomfort from protruding wires
- Small mirror for examining teeth if the need arises
- Bands for braces treatment
*And most importantly*
- Retainers
Most importantly, a patient who has completed orthodontic braces treatment should remember to bring their set of retainers along. This is because retainers are unique and tailor-made to a patient's set of teeth and unlike the items listed in the checklist above, cannot be replaced easily while overseas.
2. Avoid certain foods
A patient undergoing orthodontic braces treatment should be extremely mindful of the food that he/she is consuming. This is to prevent broken brackets as well as wire distortion when certain foods are consumed. The list of foods to avoid includes:
- Chewy, sticky food
- Large pieces of hard fruit (should be cut into smaller pieces prior to consumption)
- Hard bread rolls and bagels
- Hard candies
- Hard cookies and pretzels
- Hard nuts including peanuts, almonds and cashews
Following these tips will ensure that one has a pleasant vacation, and reduce the chance of orthodontic mishaps which may derail one's holiday plans.