How to Help Your Child Take Care of Their Teeth While They Have Braces
It can be difficult getting a child to care for their teeth properly. It’s even more difficult when they have braces. Below are helpful tips on how to get your child take care of their teeth while they have braces.
Brushing After Every Meal Can Prevent Dental Problems
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, about 4 million Americans wear braces. A lot of those are children. If your kids aren’t cautious, they can get cavities if they don’t properly brush their teeth while wearing braces.
Braces can cause food to get stuck in your child’s teeth, which allows plaque to grow and can cause cavities if they don’t brush their teeth after every meal. Brushing teeth with braces can feel complicated and your child may feel like it is impossible. However, it is possible to keep your braces and teeth clean and healthy during treatment.
There are a few tricks you can give them to encourage them to keep their teeth clean. First, use a light, soft-bristled, or power toothbrush to gently clean under the wires, around brackets, and alongside their gums. Second, make sure they floss in between wires and teeth; you can ask your orthodontist for special floss. Third, let them choose a fluoride toothpaste they enjoy, to attack tooth decay. If they have elastic bands, remove them before brushing and replace them after.
Encourage Your Kids To Floss Daily
Flossing teeth can be time consuming but is essential when wearing braces. It may be easier for your kid to use a floss threader instead of actual floss. A floss threader drags floss under the wires to clean the teeth better.
If your kid finds it too difficult to floss with a floss threader, try out an interdental cleaning brush. They offer an easier way to get rid of plaque in-between teeth. If you are curious, call one of our offices to find out which interdental cleaners your kid needs.
Help Them Avoid Certain Foods
Any foods that are crunchy, sticky, or hard need to be avoided while wearing braces. They all cause problems that you, your kid, and your orthodontist want to stay away from. Hard foods can destroy your child’s brackets and wires, while sticky foods get stuck between braces and cause tooth decay. Help your kid select healthy foods that are safer to eat while wearing braces. If you are curious about a certain food, call us and our team can answer you and your child’s questions!
Your kid can have the best braces treatment experience with your help. Support them in caring for their oral hygiene so they can enjoy a wonderful smile after their braces come off. Contact one of our offices in Suffolk or Chesapeake if you have questions and make sure you keep your child’s regularly scheduled appointments to ensure quality care.
