How to Help Your Child Keep Their Braces Clean

When your child gets braces, it marks the beginning of a journey toward a beautiful, healthy smile. While getting braces is an exciting journey, it’s crucial to follow all the instructions that come along with them. Especially when it comes to maintaining proper oral hygiene throughout orthodontic treatment.

Below, we share some tips to help your child keep their braces clean so they can enjoy optimal dental health and successful results!

Brush Carefully with Braces

Emphasize the importance of brushing regularly with your child. Encourage them to brush after every meal and before bedtime. With braces, brushing can be slightly challenging due to the bulky brackets.

The best way to brush is with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste at a 45-degree angle, cleaning around each bracket and wire. It’s important to brush both the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth, as well as the chewing surfaces.

Floss Daily

Flossing becomes even more critical with braces. Regular floss might be difficult to maneuver between brackets and wires, so opt for orthodontic floss threaders or interdental brushes. Show your child how to carefully thread the floss under the main wire and between each tooth to remove plaque and food particles.

Choose Braces-Friendly Foods

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, ensuring a healthy smile at the end of treatment. If your child has braces, don’t forget to schedule your child’s orthodontic checkups with our team!

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Categorised in: Braces for Kids