At Fresh Orthodontics in Park Slope, a lot of our patients head off to sleepaway camp every summer.
While camp is all about independence, adventure, and fun, orthodontic treatment doesn’t take a vacation.
Whether your child has braces, Spark™ Aligners, a retainer, or an expander, a little preparation can help them enjoy every moment while keeping their treatment on track.
To make things easier, we’re sharing our top summer camp tips, plus a helpful sleepaway camp packing list for orthodontic patients.
Build an Orthodontic Travel Kit Before Camp
When putting together your sleepaway camp packing list, don’t forget the braces and aligner essentials.
Your orthodontic travel kit should include:
- Orthodontic wax (at least two packs)
- Floss threaders or floss picks
- Interproximal brushes
- A soft-bristled travel toothbrush for braces or aligners
- Fluoride toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Small mirror
- Pain reliever, such as Tylenol or Advil (if approved by camp)
- Extra rubber bands if wearing them
- Two labeled aligner cases
- A labeled hard case for retainers
Summer Camp Tips for Braces Patients
If your child has braces:
- Encourage them to continue to wear their elastics/rubber bands as instructed.
- Remind them to avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods like:
- Nuts
- Hard candy
- Popcorn
- Ice
- Sticky candy
- Hard bagels, rolls, or pizza crust
- Chewy snacks
If a bracket comes loose or a wire is poking, don’t panic. Most issues can be solved with braces wax until your child is back home.
Summer Camp Tips for Clear Aligner Patients
If your child or teen is wearing Spark Aligners:
- Have them continue wearing their aligners for 20–22 hours per day.
- Remind them to:
- Remove aligners only for eating and drinking.
- Brush their teeth and rinse their aligners before putting them back in.
- Never wrap their aligners in napkins (they often get thrown away).
- Always store aligners in a case.
- Pack their previous set of aligners, current aligners, and enough new aligners to stay on schedule.
We also strongly recommend sending your child with two labeled cases.
Sleepaway Camp Tips for Retainer Patients
If your child has a retainer:
- Reinforce that camp is not a break from retention.
- Pack their retainer in a hard-shell case (soft cases get crushed).
- Remind them to:
- Wear their retainer every night.
- Remove their retainer only for meals, brushing, and swimming if they’re still wearing it full-time.
- Not to leave their retainer on cafeteria trays or in napkins.
Pro tip: Take a photo of the retainer before camp in case anything changes.
Sleepaway Camp Tips for Patients With Expanders
If your child has a palatal expander:
- Confirm their turn schedule before they leave if they’re still in the active phase.
- Pack their expander key.
- If possible, pack a travel water flosser in their orthodontic travel kit for easier cleaning.
- Reassure them that mild pressure after turns is normal.
The good news is that because expanders are fixed appliances, they can’t get lost at camp like aligners or retainers.
What About Orthodontic Emergencies at Camp?
Parents often worry about orthodontic emergencies while their child is away. Thankfully, true emergencies are extremely rare, and most situations are minor.
Camp nurses can handle basic mishaps on-site. We’ll make repairs at your child’s next visit.
Here’s how to troubleshoot the common camp issues:
Loose Braces Bracket or Poking Wire
In either case, have your child snap a photo and then text or email it to us. We’ll confirm whether the broken bracket or poking wire can wait until their return (it almost always can).
In the meantime, for a poking wire:
- Use a clean cotton swab or the eraser end of a new pencil to gently push the wire against the tooth and away from the area it’s irritating.
- Cover the wire with a piece of wax to stop the poking.
- If the wax doesn’t help and the piece of wire is extra long, use sanitized nail clippers to very carefully clip the end of the wire. The camp nurse can help with this. Then, again, cover it with wax.
For a broken bracket:
- If it’s a back bracket and it comes off the wire completely, remove it from the mouth and cover the wire with wax.
- For a bracket in the front or middle of the braces, cover it with wax to prevent irritation and sliding.
Lost Or Damaged Aligner
Text or email us with the aligner number found on the case or packaging. We’ll let you know whether your child should move to the next set or wear their previous one.
Lost or Broken Retainer
Contact us right away because teeth can shift quickly (don’t wait until your child is home). We’ll assess the urgency and promptly arrange next steps.
Loose Expander Band
This one is not urgent. The expander will stay in place even if the band is loose. Use wax if it’s uncomfortable. Let us know and we’ll recement it at the next visit.
Not Sure if It’s a Problem? Send a Photo.
A quick picture in decent lighting tells us almost everything we need to know. Text it to (347) 708-9777 or email it to hello@freshorthdontics.com, and we’ll let you know how to proceed.
When Should You Call an Emergency Orthodontist?
You likely won’t need an emergency orthodontist. In most cases, as we mentioned, if you text us a picture of the issue, we can walk you through what to do.
That said, contact us right away if your child experiences:
- Significant pain
- A swallowed appliance piece
- Severe swelling
- A broken appliance affecting eating or speaking
- A lost retainer
Thanks to Dr. Khanna’s memberships in various organizations, he has connections with orthodontists across the state and the country. If necessary, he can refer you to a local orthodontist who is closer to camp.
What to Check During Parents’ Weekend
Visiting camp? Do a quick check-in:
Braces: Any loose brackets or poking wires? Are they using their rubber bands?
Aligners: Are they wearing them for 22 hours per day and changing them on schedule?
Retainers: Do they still have it? Is the case intact?
Expanders: Is it firmly in place? Any prolonged discomfort?
And for all patients, of course, ask if they’ve been brushing and flossing.
Have an Amazing Summer!
Orthodontic treatment shouldn’t stop your child from having an incredible experience. With these summer camp tips, they can enjoy the season while staying on track for a healthy, confident smile.
The team at Fresh Orthodontics will be ready for your child when they get back! If you have questions or concerns, call or text us anytime at (347) 708-9777.
Not a patient yet? Let’s fix that. Book a complimentary consultation with our Brooklyn orthodontist today!
