Braces are a big investment for families and it pays to take good care of them, so you don't have to take your kids to extra dentist appointments to fix broken braces or tighten loose bands. Your dentist will provide you with detailed information on the specific care your kid's braces will need but there are some general guidelines that are worth considering for any kid wearing braces. Always consult your dentist if your child is experiencing extreme discomfort or pain due to his braces, as they may be too tight or there may be a piece of food stuck that can be causing pressure.
Keep Tooth Brushes Everywhere
It is very common and easy for food to get stuck in your kid's braces and this can lead to cavities. For this reason you must teach your child to brush his teeth every single time he eats something throughout the day, advises the pediatric dentist website Great Grins. Buy several toothbrushes that your child can have at hand when needed. You can keep one in his school bag, one in the car, one at your office and one in each bathroom of your house. The more convenient it is for your child to brush his teeth, the more likely he is to do it after eating.
Floss
Flossing doesn't need to be done after each item your child eats, but it does need to be done at least once per day and ideally after every big meal.
Dental Wax
Dental wax is one of the most important things for your child to have on hand when she is hurting from the wires of the braces rubbing against her tongue or inside part of her cheeks. You simply apply the wax to the wires and it will prevent the wires from causing any further irritation. In the event that you don't have dental wax on hand, use chewing gum temporarily until you can get some dental wax. Be careful not to press the chewing gum too much onto the wires or it may get stuck in your child's braces and don't let her chew on the gum for the same reason.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid giving him foods that can bend the wires of his braces, loosen the bands or knock off the braces all together, suggests the website Parenthood.com Such foods include hard food such as carrots, pizza crust and pretzels as well as chewy and sticky foods such as caramels, bubble gum and taffy.
