It’s no secret that kids and adults handle new experiences differently. A change as significant as braces can be particularly impactful, and a question that often arises from parents is how to foster good dental habits in kids with braces. Ollins Orthodontics will be providing some insight into this question.
New Challenges
For kids and parents, braces can feel like taking on a new project. It definitely comes with some challenges, but Dr. Gabriel and Dr. Bruce can help you know what to expect to make these challenges less difficult. Here are some common hygienic difficulties kids can face with braces:
- Food Trapped in Braces: This is usually the most significant problem. Brackets and wires create plenty of tiny spaces for food particles to get stuck, which can lead to plaque buildup and potential decay without proper cleaning.
- Sticky and Sugary Foods: Many kids have a sweet tooth, which is something a lot of parents have to address from day one of braces. Eating hard or sticky candy can easily damage braces—but high levels of sugar can also result in decay.
- Patience and Compliance: Keeping teeth clean with braces takes more diligence and time, which are two things that kids don’t usually embrace right away. It can be hard to establish this compliance and stick with it consistently for the duration of braces.
- Hard-to-Reach Areas: Cleaning around brackets and wires, as well as between teeth, can be tricky since it requires more care and precision. This can be especially difficult if they’re trying to use a normal toothbrush. It’s easy for kids to get discouraged when they struggle at first, so overcoming this obstacle is a big task.
- Gum Irritation: Braces can often irritate the gums, especially if food particles remain stuck and cause swelling. Kids might try to avoid painful areas when they brush, which can make matters worse.
- Bad Breath: Another consequence of food getting stuck can lead to bacteria buildup, which results in smelly breath. Staying on top of cleaning is the main way to combat this consequence, which can be tough in a social setting.
Kids vs. Braces
The good news is that children getting braces doesn’t have to result in a knock-down, drag-out sort of conflict. There are lots of ways you can encourage them to be successful with their treatment and keep up with their dental hygiene, too.
- Make It Fun: Every child has different ideas of fun, and you know them best as a parent! Incorporate whatever you can into the act of brushing and flossing: Music, colorful toothbrushes, favorite characters, flavored toothpaste, or even dental hygiene applications. Anything to make this routine feel less like a chore.
- Keep a Routine: This can be hard depending on your schedule, but do your best to maintain a set schedule for your kids to keep their teeth clean. Brushing after breakfast and dinner, flossing once a day, rinsing their mouth out—make these a part of the day they expect. You can also use a brushing timer to ensure they’re doing it properly.
- Use Special Tools: There are a lot of tools available to help make cleaning braces easier. Interdental brushes, floss threaders, or water threaders can all help if they’re having trouble cleaning.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Use positive reinforcement to your advantage. Offer praise or small rewards like stickers when kids maintain their routines. These gestures go a long way for kids of all ages.
- Explain the Importance: Remind kids that they want to keep their braces and teeth clean so that their new smile looks beautiful when we take them off at Ollins Orthodontics! Effective cleaning means actively avoiding staining, white spots, and other unwanted effects that can impact their smile.
- Make it Social: If your kids have friends or family members who have braces, ask them to share tips and experiences. Knowing they aren’t alone can be a good boost to their confidence.
- Pack a Care Kit for School: Kids and adults alike carry kits containing cleaning supplies when they have braces. These make cleaning easy on-the-go and can provide them with what they need to clean up after lunch.
- Be a Good Mentor: When you model good dental habits, kids are far more likely to follow suit. Consider making a point of brushing together with them to demonstrate this.
Practice Makes Perfect
Remind your child that their friends at Ollins Orthodontics are cheering them on during their orthodontic treatment. We’ll see them at their routine appointments and will provide them with additional encouragement when times get tough! We look forward to seeing your family soon in our Nutley office.
