If you’ve been thinking about straight teeth but haven’t found the right time to begin, summer might be the answer. At Goings Orthodontics, we often see patients using this time of year to finally prioritize things they’ve been meaning to do. Between the flexibility in your schedule, the warmer weather, and the freedom from school routines, summer is the smartest time to begin your orthodontic treatment because it offers a low-stress window to finally start what you’ve been putting off. It’s a season built for movement, change, and fresh starts, so it often feels easier to take action.
Your Schedule Works In Your Favor
Most people have more flexibility in the summer. Whether you’re a student out of school looking into adult braces, a parent of a patient with fewer drop-offs and pickups in the summer, or someone who finally took a well-deserved stay-cation, summer can be easier to add orthodontics to your calendar.
Your first few orthodontic appointments involve a little more chair time than the rest, so starting when you’re less busy helps everything go smoother since there are fewer scheduling conflicts. You’ll have time to:
- Attend the consultation
- Carefully consider all the options recommended by Windsor orthodontist Dr. Goings
- Start treatment
- Make follow-up visits without stressing over conflicts
That kind of breathing room can help you and your child feel more confident in your treatment plan and more engaged in the process. When treatment starts with intention instead of pressure, it often feels more manageable and rewarding from the very beginning.
Getting Used To Braces Is Easier At Home
Braces or clear aligners come with an adjustment period. The first week may bring some mild soreness, changes to your diet and speech, and annoyance. When you’re a child or teen spending more time at home in the summer, you can get used to new routines without navigating cafeteria food, busy school bathrooms, classroom distractions, or feeling self-conscious around your peers. That little buffer builds confidence in their treatment before they head back in the fall.
They also have time to learn a new hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing with braces and cleaning aligners takes practice. Having a few days—or even weeks—at home to master those steps makes it easier to stick with them when the schedule picks up again. Plus, knowing they can thoroughly clean their appliances after lunch or can rid them of a foul odor before the big dance can be a huge weight off their shoulders and allow them to focus more on learning.
Cold Weather Can Make Braces Less Comfortable
Not everyone realizes that temperature can affect how braces feel. Cold weather can sometimes make metal brackets and wires feel tighter or more noticeable, especially during those first few weeks. In contrast, warmer temperatures can help reduce tension in the mouth and encourage relaxation in your jaw.
While it’s not a make-or-break factor, the comfort of warmer weather can make a difference when you’re adjusting to new appliances. Starting treatment in the summer gives your body more time to ease into the changes.
Another, less thought of benefit of starting in the summer, is that being physically more at ease can support overall comfort and mindset. Summer clothing tends to be lighter and more comfortable. When your mouth is adjusting to the friction of brackets against the cheek and the tightness of clear aligners, the last thing you want is to feel weighed down or bundled up. Talk about overstimulated!
Start Now, See Results By Fall
Another benefit of starting treatment with Goings Orthodontics in the summer is that you’ll be well on your way by the time fall rolls around. In just a few months, many patients begin to see noticeable changes in their smile. That means you’ll be building momentum before school photos, holiday events, or the end-of-year rush. It’s a satisfying way to head into the new season knowing you’ve already made progress.
A Better Fit For Your Lifestyle
There’s no getting around it—orthodontic treatment can come with a few tough days, like having to skip your favorite snack on vacation or being late because you underestimated how long it would take to do your oral hygiene routine in the beginning. But summer makes those challenges easier to handle. When the weather is beautiful and the days are longer, it’s easier to stay distracted and focused on the positive.
Spending time at the pool, traveling with your family, going out with friends, or hanging out at a backyard barbecue are all awesome summer activities to give you something else to look forward to besides your next adjustment. You’re less likely to dwell on the early discomfort because you’re busy enjoying everything else the season has to offer.
Don’t Wait For A “Perfect” Time
There’s never a perfect time to begin orthodontic treatment, but summer gets pretty close. If you’ve been waiting for your calendar to calm down, your finances to align, or your motivation to magically appear, you’re not alone. We hear it all the time—many patients tell us their biggest regret was not starting sooner. The combination of downtime, comfort, and flexibility makes it one of the smartest seasons to start working toward a better smile.
If you’re ready to learn more about orthodontics in Fort Collins or want to explore which treatment is right for your goals, we’d love to meet you. Dr. Goings and our team are here to answer questions, explain your options, and help you get started.
Contact Goings Orthodontics today to schedule your free consultation. Let’s make this the summer you finally start working toward straight teeth!
