Braces are a major milestone in any child’s quest for a stunning and healthy smile. They are necessary to correct dental problems, but they also need a little more care and attention. It is easy for kids who use pediatric Dentistry Panama City Beach to keep up with their oral hygiene. In this article, we will learn about ways to take care of your braces.
Oral hygiene when you have braces
Braces form little gaps that can become food particles and bacteria to be trapped there going forward which would enable plaque growth. This can result in the formation of cavities, gingivitis, and a lengthier period if orthodontic treatment does not receive its proper management. Patients should take good care of braces for kids so that they last and provide the best results.
Tips for Effective Dental Care with Braces
1. Brush After Every Meal
As long as they have braces, your children need to brush after meals to remove food that has become lodged and bacteria which can cause plaque buildup. The trick is to make it fun and effective at the same time
2. Floss Daily
Flossing over braces is difficult, but important to get all that food stuck in between those teeth. Consider using floss threaders or orthodontic floss. Floss Threaders are useful for pulling the floss underwires if you have braces.
3. Rinse with Mouthwash
You can also use any antibacterial mouthwash to minimize plaque and freshen up your mouth. You can also find mouthwashes with fluoride, which is known for building tooth strength and fighting against bacteria that cause cavities.
4. Avoid Certain Foods
- Resist sticky treats: Caramels, chewing gum and other sugary offers will wind up getting trapped in props and are hard to clean.
- Tough Foods: Nuts, hard candies, and even carrot sticks (because they’re too crunchy) should be eliminated or cut into bite-size pieces to keep braces from fracturing.
- Avoid Sugary Snacks and Soda: Limit the amount of sugary foods served at meals or as snacks to reduce the risk of cavities.)
5. Regular Dental Checkups
Get regular dental checkups, even with braces. Make regular appointments with both the orthodontist and dentist to keep an eye on how everything is progressing, as well as general tooth/gum health.
- Orthodontic Adjustments: This is where regular visits to the orthodontist come in. They make adjustments as needed to ensure that your treatment plan is on course and everything with your braces stays how it should be.
- Dental Cleanings: Regular professional cleanings can remove plaque and tartar that regular brushing might not catch.
Making Dental Care Fun
It is not easy to keep young patients motivated when it comes to oral health, but that does not mean there are no tricks you can use for them.
- Reward System: Make a reward chart Kids can earn stickers or points for brushing flossing and keeping up with their braces.
- Dental Educational Apps and Games: Dental care apps for kids that not only keep them entertained but are designed to educate children about taking care of their teeth.
- Include Family: Get the entire family involved in dental care by brushing and flossing together so that you can help with expounding a good example of kids.
Braces are just one more step on your way to a gorgeous healthful grin and if you look after them properly, kids in Panama City Beach will get there very effortlessly. So, if your child keeps up with these steps of cleaning their braces and enjoys dental hygiene as part of the fun routine. Remember, keeping good oral hygiene with braces not only helps move treatment along smoothly but also sets up your kids to continue these methods for a lifetime.