4 Oral Hygiene Ideas for Kids Who Have Braces
An important part of having braces is to ensure that you’re taking care of your teeth while undergoing your orthodontic treatment. After all of the time, effort, and money that goes into having braces, there is nothing worse than braces being removed to reveal unhealthy teeth and gums. In this post, Bandeen Orthodontics of Battle Creek will discuss four oral hygiene ideas to ensure the health of your child’s teeth while they’re wearing braces.
- Show them how to brush their teeth properly.
Brushing with braces is very similar to brushing without braces. Your toothbrush should be a soft-bristled manual or electric toothbrush. You should also use American Dental Association (ADA) approved fluoride toothpaste. Your teeth should be brushed for two minutes using small circles tilted toward the gum line once the other parts of your teeth have been polished. The main difference to brushing with braces is to make sure you removed any food or particulates from in between the wires and brackets of your braces.
- Show them how to floss their teeth properly.
At least once a day your child should floss with a floss threader. Using a floss threader will allow your child with braces to not only reach around their archwires, but also slide their floss up and down on each side of each tooth and into the gum line.
- Have an oral hygiene kit ready to go for school and travel.
Your child’s oral hygiene kit should include a toothbrush, interproximal brush, dental floss (or flosser if they prefer), mouthwash, and orthodontic wax.
- Make sure they chew gum and stay hydrated.
Children with braces can benefit from chewing sugar-free gum as it can help to remove plaque from their teeth. The best sugar-free gum is sweetened with xylitol which will help you produce saliva and neutralize acid. Staying hydrated and drinking water will also help to remove debris from teeth and wash away acid from inside their mouth.
At Bandeen Orthodontics of Battle Creek, we will provide you with all of the information you need for you and children to keep their teeth healthy while wearing braces. If you would like to schedule an appointment or ask any questions, do not hesitate to contact us today!
