How to Take Care of Your Child’s Teeth While They Wear Braces

While braces are incredibly common for teenagers, there is no denying that braces can be rather difficult to manage. Even if you and your child go somewhere like Genesis Dental & Orthodontics, you can still count on confusion and questions about what your child can and cannot do when wearing braces.

So, what can be done? Well, it’s important to ensure the health of your little one, especially while they have their braces in. Keeping your child’s teeth clean and healthy while they have braces can be tricky, but it can be done. Besides, it will get to the point where everything just feels natural. So, here is everything you need to know about taking care of your kid’s teeth while wearing braces!

Brushing after every meal

Whether your child is getting braces or already has them on, brushing after every meal is the best way to keep their mouth healthy. Brushing after every meal is especially important when you are wearing braces. The tiny spaces in braces make it easy for food to get stuck. Food can lead to plaque formation, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Your child should brush for two minutes after every meal. The key is to brush in small, circular motions along the gum line and above and below the brackets. They may also want to floss, which helps remove food debris between teeth. It can be challenging to get into the habit of brushing after every meal, but it’s deemed necessary.

Avoiding hard, chewy or sticky foods

Choosing the right foods for your child to eat while wearing braces can be difficult. Some foods are inappropriate for children, and others may even damage the braces. It is best to consult your orthodontist about which foods are safe and which are not. Hard foods, such as corn on the cob, corn chips, and popcorn, are not recommended. 

They may be messy to eat and can also damage the braces. Soft foods, on the other hand, are safe for braces. They include soft tortillas, cooked rice, and soups. They also allow your child to eat a variety of foods still. Sweet, sticky foods are also not a good idea. The sticky food will get stuck between the braces and the teeth, likely resulting in decay. It can also be easier to remove with professional help. You may also be told to avoid hard, crunchy fruits and vegetables. 

This is because they can be difficult to chew. If your child is having trouble chewing on hard foods, try cutting the food into smaller pieces. Also, be sure to give your child plenty of time to adjust to braces before introducing regular foods. In general, it will be a challenge, especially if there are foods they just love to eat.

Using an oral irrigator

Some children have dental anxiety, and the braces alone could potentially increase this. Using an oral irrigator to care for your child’s teeth while they have braces can help keep them healthy. Oral irrigators are also referred to as “water picks,” They use a high-pressure stream of water to remove plaque and food particles from teeth. They are much easier to use than floss and can help take care of your child’s teeth while they wear braces.

Other devices that may be required

Depending on your child’s needs, he or she may need to wear other devices to care for his or her teeth while wearing braces. These devices include bite blocks, temporary anchoring devices, and rubber bands. These devices can maintain space in the mouth, move teeth into proper alignment, and help prevent the teeth from shifting backward. You’ll need to keep a close eye on this and maybe even ask your child from time to time if they’re using the required tools for their braces. 

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Jodi Carlson is a mother of 2 children, wife, and a full time product owner at a large Insurance company. She is a mom just trying to juggle a full-time job with a family life. She shares countless tips and tricks of things she has experienced first hand with her kids. As she continues to guide and teach them to become caring, sensible and responsible human beings, all while working a full time job, maintaining a home and some how still allowing for some personal time and growth. Are you a Girl Scout Leader? Along with Mom Connecting Moms, she shares her 25+ years of Girl Scout experience over at Leader Connecting Leaders , there she shares ideas and resources to help leaders who are inspiring girl leaders of tomorrow plan their troop meetings. Check out Leader Connecting Leaders .