Do’s and Don’ts of Dental Braces for Children
Braces are tough to deal with--let’s face it.
Braces are a challenge,
especially as a younger child. They’re bulky, painful and uncomfortable. We’ve put together a few do’s and don’ts and other tips to make the experience of having dental braces a bit more pleasant and less stressful.
What do you recommend to ease the pain and discomfort?
When you first get your braces on (and even every time you get them tightened at follow-up appointments) your teeth are going to be very sore and it is very likely you will experience pain and discomfort. This is because your teeth are being forced to move along the arch wire that is attached by the brackets on your teeth. This may last for a few days or longer depending on your treatment. The best recommendation is to take an over the counter pain reliever to ease the pain and discomfort. An oral anesthetic gel may be very effective for dental braces for children if sores develop on your gums and inside of your mouth. If you’re not sure, ask your orthodontist to recommend a pain reliever.
Are there certain foods I should avoid? What is ok to have?
Certain foods that are very sticky and chewy should be avoided. These types of foods include gum, popcorn kernels, caramels and taffy. Very sugary snacks like fruit roll ups, starbursts and skittles also are not a good idea to have. These types of snacks and foods can get stuck in the braces because they are very sticky and chewy, making it difficult to clean. Also, all the sugars in these foods can cause cavities and can also cause damage to the braces and elastics themselves. Foods such as jello, applesauce, soup, eggs, rice, oatmeal and yogurt are great to have, which will minimize the pain and discomfort and won’t cause damage to your braces.
Certain hard foods should also be avoided like hard pretzels, peanut brittle, hard candies, popcorn, chewing on ice and even apples or carrots. Apples and carrots are fine provided they are cut into small pieces. These foods can potentially damage and shift the braces and other components like the elastics. This will result in costly repairs and lengthier treatment time.
What’s the best way to clean and care for my braces?
Brushing your teeth and flossing after every meal is the best thing you can do to take care of your teeth and your braces. Flossing and brushing after meals will remove food that may be stuck in your braces. It’s just as important to continue brushing your teeth at night and morning to prevent the possibility of stains on your teeth after braces are removed, in addition to cavities during your treatment.
You should also continue seeing your family dentist at least every 6 months for a thorough cleaning. This is recommended to ensure you have a clean, healthy smile, especially when dealing with dental braces for children.
Something doesn’t feel right. What should I do?
Braces will cause some pain and discomfort, especially in the very beginning. Throughout your treatment, you may also encounter that something may be loose or broken, such as an elastic, or something may simply have to be adjusted. Never attempt to adjust or fix something that is or may appear to be broken or out of place at home. See your orthodontist for a check-up if something doesn’t feel right, is very uncomfortable or pain persists. Most commonly, spacers may come loose, a wire may be sticking out the back and poking the side of your mouth, or the wire may come out of the brace. Your orthodontist may have a direct contact number for emergencies as well.
If you take proper care of your teeth and your braces, you may lessen treatment time and avoid costly repairs.
