Oral Hygiene Tips for Children with Braces
As your child is going through orthodontic treatment, it’s extremely important to make sure that they are maintaining the health of their teeth. There is nothing worse than finishing treatment only to be left with unhealthy teeth. In this post, Bandeen Orthodontics will present some oral hygiene tips for children with braces.
Teach them how to brush properly. Your child should use a soft bristled standard or electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for two minutes. During these two minutes, they should brush in small circles, making sure to also tilt the brush toward the gum line. They should also make sure to remove food particles between the brace wires and brackets.
Teach them how to floss properly. First, they need to floss at least once a day with a floss threader that will allow them to reach around their archwires as well as sliding floss up and down on each side of each tooth.
Put together a kit for school and travel. This kit should contain a toothbrush, interproximal brush, dental floss (or flosser if they prefer), mouthwash, and orthodontic wax. While they may not remember to use it after ever meal or snack, they’re much more likely if they have a kit ready to go.
Chew gum and stay hydrated. It’s a good idea to chew sugarless gum, with xylitol being preferred. Chewing gum will help remove plaque from teeth and xylitol helps produce saliva and neutralize acid. Drinking water helps clear out debris between teeth as well as washing away acid.
At Bandeen Orthodontics of Kalamazoo, we know the importance of making sure that your children take excellent care of their teeth while they’re wearing braces. If you have any questions, or would like to learn more, do not hesitate to contact us today!