Why is summer the ideal time to start orthodontic treatment? Myths and useful tips

For many families, the summer holidays are the time when they finally manage to book the medical appointments they have put off during the year. At the same time, many adults take advantage of their holidays to start treatments they have been putting off due to a lack of time. These include orthodontic treatment.

If you’re planning to undergo orthodontic treatment this summer, you’re probably wondering whether you can go on holiday or head to the seaside. The answer is yes – summer can actually be the ideal time to start treatment with braces, regardless of your age. 

Although orthodontic treatment can be started at any time of year, the summer months offer a number of practical advantages that make the early stages of treatment and getting used to the new routine easier.

A more flexible schedule for consultations and settling in

Starting treatment involves:

• an initial consultation;
• necessary X-rays;
• drawing up the treatment plan;
• fitting the braces.  

During the summer, these stages can be scheduled more easily, without the pressure of the school timetable or a very busy work schedule.

Time to adjust

In the first few days after braces are fitted or after you start wearing aligners, you may experience a feeling of pressure on your teeth, slight sensitivity or minor irritation of the gum tissue. These symptoms are normal and temporary.

A more relaxed schedule allows the time needed to gradually adapt to the new routine, pay closer attention to diet and learn the correct oral hygiene practices.

“Summer does not affect the success of orthodontic treatment in any way. Its advantage is mainly practical: most patients adapt fully to their braces or aligners within a few days or weeks. Thus, by the time school starts or work resumes, speaking, chewing and oral hygiene are already part of their daily routine,” explains Dr Cristina Erciulescu. 

Many patients choose to book their first appointment during the summer, when they have more free time.

During an orthodontic consultation, the following are assessed:

• the position of the teeth;
• the bite;
• the development of the dental arches. 

Depending on the specifics of each case, the dentist may recommend imaging tests and a digital scan of the teeth, which are necessary to draw up a personalised treatment plan.

A consultation does not automatically mean that braces will be fitted. Its purpose is to identify the right solution and the best time to start treatment.

At DENT ESTET clinics, each treatment plan is tailored to the patient’s age, orthodontic diagnosis and individual goals. 

The choice of orthodontic system is not determined by the season, but by the specific characteristics of each clinical case. 

“The choice is not based on the season, nor is it determined solely by aesthetic criteria. We analyse the position of the teeth, the bite, the patient’s age, the treatment objectives and how well the patient can follow instructions. The right option is the one that offers medical control and predictability for that particular case” – Dr. Cristina Erciulescu. 

Myth: You can’t go on holiday if you’re wearing braces or aligners

False. Going on holiday is perfectly compatible with orthodontic treatment.

If you’re planning a longer trip, it’s advisable to book a check-up before you leave. Patients wearing aligners should take all the sets they’ll need for the duration of their holiday with them, as well as their previous aligner, in case one gets lost or damaged.

“An important detail is to keep the aligners in their special case and not in a tissue, where they might be accidentally thrown away.” – Dr Cristina Erciulescu.

Myth: It’s harder to start orthodontic treatment in the summer

False. For many patients, it is actually easier.

The more flexible schedule allows consultations, examinations and initial check-ups to take place without the pressure of daily commitments. If holidays are already planned, these can be factored in right from the treatment planning stage.

Myth: The sun or high temperatures affect braces

False. Fixed braces are not affected by normal summer temperatures.

In the case of aligners, the issue is not wearing them, but exposure to very high temperatures when they are removed from the mouth. For example, it is not recommended to leave them in a hot car, on a sun lounger or to wash them with hot water, as the material may warp.

Myth: You can be less careful about oral hygiene in the summer

In reality, it is precisely in summer that oral hygiene becomes even more important.

Holidays often mean more snacks between meals, soft drinks, ice cream and nights out. All of these can disrupt your usual oral hygiene routine.

Whether the patient is wearing braces or aligners, brushing and cleaning between the teeth must be carried out with the same thoroughness to prevent the build-up of bacterial plaque and the development of tooth decay. 

Recommended diet

Barbecues, sweetcorn, firm fruit and crunchy desserts are all part of the summer season, but some of these can put excessive strain on fixed braces.

See which foods are allowed when wearing braces

It is recommended that hard apples and vegetables be cut into small pieces, and that sweetcorn be eaten after the kernels have been removed from the cob. Plain ice cream can be eaten occasionally, but varieties with caramel, nuts or hard sweets are less suitable.

If you are wearing aligners, these should be removed before eating and before drinking anything other than water.

Hydration and oral hygiene

Drinking enough water helps keep your mouth comfortable and aids in the temporary removal of food debris when you cannot brush your teeth straight away.

If it is not possible to brush your teeth after a meal, rinsing your mouth with water is a temporary solution, but it is no substitute for brushing.

What should not be missing from your holiday orthodontic kit

As well as your usual oral hygiene products, it is a good idea to pack:

• a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste;  
• dental floss or interdental brushes;  
• orthodontic wax;  
• elastic bands recommended by your dentist;  
• the aligner case;  
• the clinic’s contact details.  

If a bracket comes loose, a wire breaks or an aligner is lost, the patient is advised to contact their orthodontist before attempting any makeshift solutions. 

Yes. Orthodontic treatment does not prevent you from taking part in typical summer activities.

Patients can go to the seaside, the swimming pool, on trips or to summer camps without their braces being affected. Water from the swimming pool or the sea does not affect the components of the orthodontic appliance.

In the case of aligners, these must be kept in their case when removed and protected from high temperatures.

For contact sports, it is recommended to wear a protective mouthguard that is compatible with orthodontic treatment.

“Orthodontic treatment should be integrated into the patient’s life; it should not restrict their holidays or activities. A few simple measures — a check-up before you set off, a hygiene kit and suitable protection for sport — allow treatment to continue safely” – Dr. Cristina Erciulescu. 

1. The On-The-Go Teeth Cleaning Tool Kit for Braces Wearers, American Association of Orthodontists, 2025.
2. Spark™ Clear Aligner System – Frequently Asked Questions, Ormco
3. Debunking Myths About Summer Orthodontic Care: Facts vs. Fiction, Markham Orthodontics, 2025