Young woman smiles with braces as she holds up her toothbrush, floss, and interdental brush to clean her teeth

How to Help Your Child Keep Their Braces Clean

July 31, 2023 10:30 am

Getting braces is the start of an exciting journey! Below, we share some tips to help your child keep their braces clean so they can enjoy optimal dental health and successful results!

  1. Brush Carefully with Braces

    2. Emphasize to your child the importance of brushing regularly with a soft-bristled manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Encourage them to brush in the morning, after every meal, and before bedtime. With braces, brushing can feel more challenging due to the bulky brackets and wires. Remind your child to be patient and meticulous when cleaning around each bracket and wire. They should thoroughly brush both the outer and inner surfaces of their teeth, as well as the chewing surfaces of their teeth and their tongue.

  2. Floss Daily

    3. Flossing becomes even more critical with braces. Regular floss might be difficult to maneuver between brackets and wires. Show your child how to carefully thread floss under the main wire with a floss threader and between each tooth to remove plaque and food particles. They can also benefit from using an interdental brush and a water flosser.

  3. Choose Braces-Friendly Foods

    4. Encourage your child to make smart food choices during their orthodontic treatment. Sticky, hard, and chewy foods can damage brackets and wires, leading to orthodontic emergencies and difficulty cleaning. Advise them to opt for braces-friendly foods like soft fruits, cooked vegetables, yogurt, and lean meats. Cutting food into smaller pieces can also make it easier to chew and less likely to get stuck in between brackets.

Braces at Summit Family Orthodontics

Helping your child maintain good oral hygiene while wearing braces is essential for successful orthodontic treatment. By implementing these simple yet effective tips, you can help your child keep their braces clean so they can enjoy a healthy smile at the end of their treatment. Additionally, don’t forget to schedule your child’s next orthodontic checkup with our team!

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