The blog post "Survival Tips for Children Who Wear Braces" on dinokidsdds.com provides a comprehensive guide to help children adjust to wearing braces. The article suggests gradually introducing the concept of braces, ensuring the child drinks plenty of water, scheduling regular dental checkups, brushing after meals, avoiding sticky foods, and limiting sugary snacks and drinks. It also recommends stocking up on essential orthodontic supplies like wax, elastics, and retainers, which can make the experience more comfortable for the child.
Braces are necessary for many children, and they can often require some maintenance. Standard maintenance for orthodontic braces include things like:
- Cleaning them after eating.
- Cleaning them at night.
- Ensuring they don't get caught on anything.
There are a few tips to help make the braces process easier. This article will provide some survival tips for children who wear braces.
Introduce Wearing Braces Gradually
Your child may feel self-conscious when they start wearing braces, but it is essential to introduce them gradually. Talk about the new addition to their smile before they even get fitted for braces, and let them know that everyone will be noticing their shiny new smile. Praise them for being brave enough to wear braces and make sure to encourage them throughout the entire process.
When they finally get fitted for braces, have a photo session! This will help your child feel excited about their new look and show off their beautiful smile to all of their friends. Be sure to post the photos on social media so everyone can admire your child’s progress.
Don't hesitate to ask your orthodontist if you have any questions or concerns during the treatment process. They will be able to walk you professionally through each step and provide advice on making your child’s experience as smooth as possible.
Drinking Plenty of Water
As a parent, it's important to encourage your child to stay hydrated, especially if they feel thirsty. An excellent way to make sure they drink enough water is by setting a goal to drink a certain amount of glasses of water per day. You can get them a fun water bottle for this case or even put a post-it note on the refrigerator.
Another way to make sure your child remains hydrated is by offering them healthy drinks such as milk, diluted fruit juices, or herbal tea. Also, if your child likes sports drinks, you can dilute them with water 50/50.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
It is recommended that children have their first dental checkup by the time they reach their first birthday. By doing so, your child's dentist can establish a dental home where they will receive the best possible care. This also helps them identify any problems early on, preventing further complications later in life.
However, if your child is wearing braces, it's important to schedule regular checkups with the orthodontist to ensure that the braces are working as per the plan and are not causing any damage to the teeth.
Brushing After Meals
It's important to remind your child to brush after every meal. This will help remove and prevent any food particles from sticking onto the braces, which can be painful if left up for too long.
Make sure your child is brushing correctly – this means that they should brush their teeth in a circular motion (not back & forth) using an extra soft toothbrush not to damage or irritate the wires of the braces. Make sure you remind them where possible throughout the day!
If your child is brushing as recommended by the orthodontist and there are still food particles left on their braces, you can use a mouthwash once or twice a day to help remove them.
Avoid Sticky Foods like Gummy Bears
While it may be difficult for the little ones to do without taffy, gummy bears, and other sticky snacks, they are a big no-no when you’re wearing braces. The sugar in these snacks will quickly attach to your braces and become a pain to remove.
Instead, encourage your child to try healthier alternatives like sliced fruit, soft vegetables, yogurt, or cheese cubes.
Stock Up On Orthodontic Supplies Like Wax, Elastics, and Retainers
If you want to make the experience of wearing braces a little easier on your child, stock up on orthodontic supplies like wax and elastics.
For example, although it may not seem like much, orthodontic wax can be one of the best investments you can get for your money. Wax helps keep food out of braces and off wires while also reducing irritation which often comes with wearing elastics and other appliances.
Restrict Sugary Snacks and Drinks
Almost every dental specialist will likely give you a list of foods to avoid while your child has braces. This is because sugary snacks and drinks can cause tooth decay and other dental problems. It's essential to be diligent about following this list, as it will help keep your child's teeth healthy during treatment.
Additional Notes
Building on this article, it's important to remember that while braces can correct dental issues, they can also create challenges for oral hygiene. Therefore, along with brushing and flossing, using an antimicrobial mouthwash can help maintain oral health by killing bacteria that might cause gum disease and tooth decay. Also, using a water flosser can be an excellent addition to your child's oral hygiene routine as it can reach those hard-to-access areas around braces that regular floss might miss. Lastly, ensure your child avoids hard foods that could damage the braces. With these additional practices, your child's journey with braces can be smooth and effective, leading to a healthier, more confident smile.
Final Thoughts
Introducing your child to braces is a big step, but they can easily adjust to their new smile with proper care. By following the simple tips mentioned above, your child can have a successful braces experience and achieve the beautiful smile they deserve!
