If your child needs braces, it’s important for both you and your child to be well-versed on how to properly care for their braces and their teeth. The following information can give you a basic understanding of what will need to be done to ensure your child’s braces stay in good shape and they are confident with their smile.
Explain the Necessity for Proper Care
The sooner you start preparing your child for the extra care they’ll be facing once they get braces, the easier the transition may be. If your child starts to get down about the idea of wearing braces when you speak to them about the braces, reassure your child they will be happy with the results and let them know they can choose braces that come in fun colors.
Prepare Your Home
You’ll need to have some extra dental care items once your child has their braces put on. If you buy these items ahead of time, your child will start with proper dental care with braces as soon as they have the braces put on. Your child will need orthodontic wax, travel-size toothbrushes, travel-size toothpaste, floss, a floss threader and mouthwash. Depending on your child’s age, you may need to look for mouthwash specifically for kids.
Another important thing you should do ahead of time is to replace the foods in your kitchen that would be harmful to braces with foods that are braces-friendly. One thing to remember is anything sticky will be just as sticky for braces and therefore should be avoided. Hard foods can damage the braces and should also be avoided including everything from ice to pizza crust.
Teach Your Child About Daily Care
Daily care when one is wearing braces does differ from regular dental care. Once your child has braces on, they will go from brushing their teeth 2 to 3 times a day to brushing them at least 4 times a day. On top of brushing them that many times, your child will also need to brush again each time they eat anything with excessive sugars of food coloring. Removing leftover food particles and bacteria is crucial to preventing cavities, stains and other dental issues when wearing braces.
Those travel-sized toothbrushes and toothpaste will quickly come in handy after your child comes home with braces. The dental care supplies will need to be put in their backpack and used at school after every snack or meal. If your child is embarrassed about brushing in front of other students, they can also carry bottled water to use in a more private place, or you can get special permission from the teacher for them to use the empty restroom during class.
Your child should take more time and care on each tooth when they are wearing braces. This is due to the wires and brackets of the braces stubbornly holding on to food particles and bacteria. Show your child how to brush their teeth and braces by brushing their teeth for them the first time. You will brush in a circular motion gently on each tooth, making sure to make contact with the tooth and working around the braces as best you can.
When you choose Snodgrass King for your child’s needs, you will work closely with the staff when it comes to learning all you can about your child’s braces and the process. If you have any questions about the process or anything else regarding your child’s dental care, contact us. We will be happy to set you up with an appointment, so all your child’s dental needs can be taken care of.