How to Maintain Oral Hygiene of Your Kids with Braces in Upland, CA

Your child is going to love wearing braces to achieve a healthy and confident smile. However, it is important that they are properly cared for to ensure effective results and optimal oral health. Parents should ensure their children receive proper care to help them maintain good oral hygiene with braces. This is vital now that they are adapting to the new equipment.

If you are searching for a pediatric dentist in Upland, congratulations, you have taken the first step towards providing your child with a healthy smile. In this blog, we will discuss key points to help your child maintain good oral hygiene while wearing braces.

Importance of Oral Hygiene with Braces for Your Child’s Health

When your child has braces installed, it is critical that they maintain good oral health. Otherwise, it can lead to conditions like cavities, gum disease, or tooth discoloration. Therefore, it is essential that your child maintains an oral care routine from an early age. With these measures in place, your child can ensure their smile remains healthy during orthodontic care.

1. The Importance of Braces Care

Braces function by gradually moving teeth into their positions, which requires careful monitoring. Braces are prone to collecting food particles, which can pose several risks, including cavities, gum recession, and staining. 

For children, this could mean an unfamiliar routine, since more attention is needed when cleaning braces than when cleaning regular teeth. Ensuring your kid adopts a good routine from the very start will give them a head start and help them attain the beautiful smile they deserve.

2. Dental Check-Ups

It is a good idea to ensure your child continues to honor appointments with your Upland pediatric dentist, even as they face the challenges of wearing braces. This is crucial to ensure that the braces work properly and that a dentist examines your child for oral care issues such as irritation and cavities.

Why Regular Visits Matter:

• Adjustments: Braces require periodic adjustments to move the teeth as intended. This is done by your child’s dentist.
• Prevention: Regular check-ups can help identify problems early, ensuring your child’s smile remains healthy during treatment.
• Educational Support: Your child’s pediatric dentist can provide further information on how to properly care for the braces.

3. Brushing: Twice a Day, Every Day

A very crucial part of braces care is vigorous brushing. Children with braces should make a point of brushing their teeth at least twice a day. Moreover, these brushing sessions should occur after each meal.

Tips for Effective Brushing:

• Use the Right Toothbrush: Buy a toothbrush with soft bristles or use an orthodontic toothbrush. Such toothbrushes help clean the areas around the braces.
• Brush at a 45-degree Angle: Angle the brush towards the gums to clean around the brackets and wires. Each tooth needs to have all sides brushed, the front, back, and chewing surface.
• Be Gentle: Ensure that your child wields gentle force when brushing to prevent damaging the braces or causing gum irritation.

Suggested Routine:

• Morning and Night: Instruct the child to brush teeth early in the morning and before retiring at night.
• After Meals: Brushing after meals helps remove food debris that may become lodged in brackets and wires.

4. Flossing: A Necessity for Kids

Flossing can sometimes become an ordeal with braces, but it is as important as brushing. Flossing the teeth can help remove plaque and food particles from areas where a toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing can also help prevent plaque buildup on teeth.

Flossing Tips

• Use Orthodontic Floss Threaders: Your child can easily insert the floss using these tools, which help them pass it through their teeth with a needle-like system that pushes it between the orthodontic wires.
• Water Flossers: Another great option for kids with braces would be a water flosser. A water flosser uses a water stream to remove food debris and plaque that accumulates around the braces.
• Daily Routine: Teach your child to floss daily, preferably before bedtime, to ensure they clean between each tooth.

5. Mouth Rinsing

Mouthwash can be a valuable addition to your child’s orthodontic care routine. It helps remove food particles from their mouth, reduces plaque, and freshens their breath. Fluoride mouthwash is especially valuable as it helps to protect teeth from cavities.

Mouthwash Tips:

• Rinse After Brushing: Always remind your child to rinse with mouthwash after brushing and flossing.
• Use Mouthwash Without Alcohol: Select a fluoride-filled mouthwash that is non-alcoholic so as not to dry your child’s mouth. 

6. What Foods to Avoid with Braces

Some foods may be difficult for children with braces to eat. Some hard, sticky, and chewy foods may cause the braces to break. Additionally, sweet foods and drinks may increase the chances of cavities around the brackets.

Foods to Avoid:

• Sticky Candies: Caramel, taffy, or gum can become lodged in the braces, affecting the wires.
• Hard Foods: Hard foods, such as nuts, ice, or hard candies, can break or dislodge brackets.
• Chewy Foods: Bagels, pizza dough, or other chewy foods can get lodged in the braces, which can make it difficult to clean around them.

Proposed Alternatives:

• Soft Fruits and Vegetables: Include soft fruits and vegetables in your diet, such as bananas and applesauce, to eat healthy while avoiding damage to your braces.
• Avoid Hard Foods: If your child enjoys crunchy foods like apples or carrots, cut them up into smaller bites to prevent accidental damage to his or her braces.

7. Use of Wax for Comfort

Braces may cause some annoyance to your child, for instance, when they press against the inner sides of your child’s mouth. But the best tool for relieving the annoyance caused by orthodontic braces is orthodontic wax. It’s quite easy to apply the brackets and wires pressing against your child’s mouth.

Wax Tips:

• Always Remove Before Eating: It is essential to remove the wax before your child eats to avoid it sticking to the food.
• Cleaning the Area: If your child is using wax, remind them to clean their braces thoroughly to prevent plaque buildup around the wax.

8. Encourage Good Habits

Taking care of braces requires cooperation from both you and your child. It is, however, important to ensure they practice oral hygiene while making the entire process enjoyable for them.

Tips for Staying Motivated:

• Making It a Fun Routine: It should be fun for your kids to brush and floss their teeth every time. This could be achieved with colorful brushes and/or fun-flavored paste.
• Positive Reinforcement: They should be celebrated for their efforts through small rewards for maintaining their hygiene practices.

Obtain a Healthy Smile with Regular Braces Maintenance

It may seem daunting to maintain their oral hygiene while wearing braces, but with the right materials and guidance, your child can achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

Your Upland pediatric dentist can offer the best advice to help your child through their journey with braces. Assist your child in developing good oral hygiene habits, and in return, your child will owe you a brighter smile.

 

FAQs

1. 1. How often should my child brush their teeth with braces?
      Your child should brush at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. Ideally, they should brush after meals to remove food particles that may be stuck in their braces.
   2. Can my child use regular toothpaste with braces?
      Yes, your child can use regular fluoride toothpaste. However, make sure they use a soft-bristle toothbrush to avoid damaging the braces and gums.
   3. Is flossing necessary with braces?
      Yes, flossing is essential to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the wires. Orthodontic floss threaders or a water flosser can make the process easier.
   4. Should my child avoid any specific foods while wearing braces?
      Yes, sticky, hard, and chewy foods should be avoided. These foods can damage the braces or get stuck in them, making it harder to clean.
   5. How can we reduce discomfort caused by braces?
      Using orthodontic wax can help ease discomfort caused by brackets or wires rubbing against the inside of your child’s mouth. Make sure the wax is removed before eating.