Your Kalamazoo Orthodontist Discusses Why Proper Oral Hygiene is Essential for Kids with Braces

One of the most important things about having braces is ensuring that you’re taking care of your teeth while undergoing your orthodontic treatment. After all of the time, effort, and money that goes into having braces, there is nothing worse than braces being removed to reveal unhealthy teeth and gums! In this post, Your Kalamazoo orthodontist, Bandeen Orthodontics will discuss four oral hygiene tips to ensure the health of your child’s teeth while undergoing orthodontic treatment and after.

Teach them how to properly brush their teeth and gums.

Brushing with braces is very similar to brushing without braces. Your toothbrush should be a soft-bristled manual or electric toothbrush. You should also use American Dental Association (ADA) approved fluoride toothpaste. Your teeth should be brushed for two minutes using small circles tilted toward the gum line once the other parts of your teeth have been polished. The main difference to brushing with braces is to make sure you removed any food or particulates from in between the wires and brackets of your braces.

Teach them how to properly floss their teeth.

At least once a day your child should floss with a floss threader. Using a floss threader will allow your child with braces to not only reach around their archwires, but also slide their floss up and down on each side of each tooth and into the gum line.

Put together an oral hygiene kit for school and travel.

Your child’s oral hygiene kit should include a toothbrush, interproximal brush, dental floss (or flosser if they prefer), mouthwash, and orthodontic wax.

Encourage them to chew gum and drink water often.

Children with braces can benefit from chewing sugar-free gum as it can help to remove plaque from their teeth. The best sugar-free gum is sweetened with xylitol which will help you produce saliva and neutralize acid. Staying hydrated and drinking water will also help to remove debris from teeth and wash away acid from inside their mouth.

At Your Kalamazoo orthodontist, Bandeen Orthodontics, we provide you with all of the information you need to keep your teeth healthy while wearing braces. If you would like to schedule an appointment or ask any questions, do not hesitate to contact us!