TIPS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR BRACES
For Kids & Parents
Getting your kids or teens to brush with braces might be the only thing harder than getting them to brush their teeth in general. But brushing (especially with braces) is absolutely necessary to maintain optimal oral health.
When you have braces, it’s important to properly maintain them during the entire orthodontic treatment period. This includes brushing, flossing, and even abstaining from certain foods and activities – which can make having braces tough for kids and teens (and parents). That’s why we’re sharing all of our orthodontic tips, tricks, and
need-to-know maintenance to better care for your braces.
Brushing with Braces
It’s always important to brush your teeth after you eat, but when you have braces, it’s even more crucial. Food particles can easily get caught between the brackets and wires, causing discomfort and potential future cavities. The biggest difference in brushing your teeth with braces is simply being more gentle so you don’t damage the brackets or wires. Brush the inside and outside surfaces of your teeth using small, gentle, circular motions while positioning the head of the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line. Pay close attention to the areas around your brackets. Brush the chewing surfaces and the inside surface of the front teeth using short, gentle, back-and-forth motions for two minutes after every meal.
Flossing with Braces
Flossing is an important part of maintaining oral health and shouldn’t be skipped – even when you have braces! The easiest way to floss your teeth with braces is to use floss threaders. Gently slide the floss between each set of teeth using a back and forth motion – but be careful to stay beneath the brackets and wires! Floss the sides of each tooth beneath the gum line to remove plaque and food particles and repeat until all teeth have been flossed. (Pro Tip: You can also use a water flosser in addition to flossing to get hard-to-reach food particles and plaque!)
Eating with Braces
One of the hardest parts of having braces for kids and teens is the food restrictions that are necessary during the treatment plan. Hard, crunchy, and sticky foods should be avoided to prevent any damage to the wires and brackets. But don’t worry – there are many foods you can enjoy while straightening your smile! Stick with soft foods like bread, cooked rice, steamed vegetables, applesauce, pudding, or give yourself a treat by enjoying some ice cream (without nuts), a milkshake, or a piece of soft cake. You deserve it!
Playing Sports with Braces
Good news – you can play sports with braces! Of course, there are guidelines for certain activities, and wearing a mouthguard to protect your teeth is a must. (If you are playing a sport that requires a mouth guard, please let our team at Tasios Orthodontics know and your first sportsguard will be on us!) But wearing braces shouldn’t stop you from enjoying this season of life. (Note: If you do experience a sports injury with braces, please contact our team immediately with any appliance damage.)
If you’re having trouble getting your kids to brush their teeth with braces, our team is here to help. We’re always striving to make your orthodontic experience as enjoyable as possible, so don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.
“We’re here to make you smile!”
-Tasios Orthodontics