If your child’s dentist recently recommended braces, you may have a few questions. While orthodontics treatments are great for correcting crowded and misaligned teeth, proper care is a must for the best possible results. Here are a few tips on how kids can care for their braces for the duration of the treatment. 

Do:

Make dental care a top priority.

It’s definitely true that dental care is important for all people. However, kids with braces run the risk of getting food and plaque caught under metal wires, which leads to cavities and decay. Make sure your child is brushing their teeth at least twice a day, while flossing every night before bedtime. If your child has difficulty flossing, a floss threader is a plastic loop that can help pull floss under the wires. 

Attend every orthodontics appointment.

When you skip an orthodontist appointment, you’re only lengthening the treatment period. Your child’s dentist must adjust the wires incrementally to ensure the teeth shift into the proper position. Accordingly, skipping appointments could add weeks or even months onto the treatment duration. 

Don’t:

Play sports without a mouthguard.

Young athletes who play sports like hockey, football, and basketball are at risk of oral injuries when playing with braces. A fitted mouthguard protects oral tissue and prevents damage. Talk with your dentist about having a mouthguard designed specifically for your child so it offers the best fit. 

Eat certain foods. 

Hard foods, like nuts, candy, and ice cubes, may damage the braces and require an emergency trip to the dentist. Other foods should also be avoided as well, such as sticky treats. This includes chewing gum, taffy, and chewy candies, which can get entangled in braces and cause quite a mess. 

The right dentist will also offer your child plenty of dental care tips during office visits. In Avon, OH, Carolyn B. Crowell, DMD, & Associates is known for creating a fun office environment for kids of all ages. This dental clinic puts an emphasis on preventative care, and they also offer a number of sedation options for children with anxiety about undergoing dental procedures. Visit them online today to learn more about their orthodontics procedures, or call (440) 934-0149 to schedule an appointment for your child.