Parents, are you ready for the holiday season to be in full swing? Our team at Whitlock Orthodontics is excited to spend some quality time with family and celebrate the holidays. But we want you to remember that we are here for you and your family, even during the celebrations. We want your kiddo’s positive treatment experience to continue over the holiday break when our office is closed, so remember that we are available to tend to any emergency situations. Make sure to call us if your child experiences any broken brackets, exposed wires, or any pain from injury to their braces. Call us and let us know if anything like this happens so we can work on getting your child back into our office as soon as possible to resolve the issue. If you have any questions or concerns over break, just call our office at 479-751-1103 and we will figure out the best solution for your kiddo ASAP.

With just a few weeks until the holiday season begins, there are probably several errands you need to run to ensure all the food is purchased, presents are wrapped, and your kids are properly entertained while they’re home from school. Between the stockings filled with candy and the desserts at grandma’s, it is almost inevitable that your kiddo will have at least one bracket come loose over break. One important task to add to your to-do list is to have your holiday braces care kit ready to go in case one of your kiddos has a braces emergency during break.

Consider adding the below items to your at home braces care kit, and remember, you can call our office if anything goes wrong during break.

Orthodontic Wax

You definitely want to make sure you have plenty of wax in your braces care kit in preparation of a braces emergency. Orthodontic wax is a multifunctional tool, and really acts as the star of your braces care kit. Wax will be your child’s best friend because it can cover a sharp, poky protruding wire, and it can also keep a loose bracket from wiggling around, saving your child from an irritation to their cheeks, gums, lips, and tongue.

Over-the-Counter Medication

If your child does have a braces emergency, they might experience some pain or discomfort. This pain and discomfort can typically be resolved by a little over-the-counter relief gel or an over-the-counter pain reliever capsule. Make sure to follow the recommended dosage on the label of each medication, and call our office immediately if your child’s pain persists or increases even after medication.

Floss Picks and Floss Threader

You’ve probably noticed that regular floss isn’t as effective at removing food particles from in between your teeth if you have braces. Make sure you add floss picks and floss threaders to your braces care kit so you don’t have any holiday goodies leftover in your teeth for bacteria to feed on and cause cavities or irritation. You’ll be glad you have the proper floss on hand once you get a pesky piece of food stuck in between your teeth, and your gums will thank you, too!

Braces Elastics

If you wear elastics, it’s a really good idea to ask Dr. Whitlock for extra to keep in your braces care kit just in case you lose some or break a few.

Keep our office contact information on your fridge or add it to your contact list so you’ll have our number on hand in case of a braces emergency. Call us immediately after your braces emergency, even if it’s after hours. Just leave us a voicemail and we will call you back as soon as possible. We are here for you, even in the midst of the busy holiday season. Enjoy your time together with family. Happy Holidays from your Whitlock Orthodontics team.


Whitlock Orthodontics proudly serves the orthodontic needs of families in the Springdale and Fort Smith communities and the surrounding area. In addition to Invisalign, Dr. Whitlock also offers several braces treatment options as well as early orthodontic treatment.

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