If you are a parent, then you know all too well the battle of daily teeth brushing, or hair brushing, or taking a bath, or really anything for that matter. As children are growing into adolescence they are also growing in their own independence and dont always like to do the “less fun” things in life. It is our job, as their parents, to help them understand and see the importance of these things and help motivate them to do it.
But, it can be exhausting.
Does the daily hygiene battle have you questioning if braces or orthodontic treatment is an option for a child? Are you hesitant to add another obstacle to the battle of getting your son or daughter to brush their teeth?
We are here to tell you that orthodontic care doesn’t have to be complicated for your child. You can follow your same oral hygiene routine with a few added tricks to be sure your child’s braces and teeth are well cared for.
Luckily, a lot of our younger patients are usually pretty excited to get braces, they are often viewed as “a right of passage” in childhood. Our older or teen patients tend to be less excited about braces but very excited about the idea or a straighter smile.
We encourage parents to harness that excitement and use it as motivation to help their children take good care of their teeth during orthodontic treatment. Here are a few ways you can help your child care for their teeth with braces.
Brushing Teeth Regularly
Explain to your children that brushing their teeth will become even more important with braces. Braces give more opportunity for food to build up in our teeth. You can even get your child a fun travel toothbrush should they ever need it after lunch at school or out and about.
As a parent you know what works for your child. Maybe you can make brushing teeth more fun or implement a reward system. Whatever you have to do to end the brushing battle, we support!
Use Orthodontic Flossing Tools
Flossing with braces can seem tricky but there are small, easy to use flossing tools that make it a breeze. It can even be kind of fun for kids to weave the floss through their teeth. Similar to brushing your teeth, flossing is important with braces, as your child is likely to accumulate extra buildup between their teeth.
Help Them Understand What They Can and Cannot Eat
Kids can get pretty caught up on one of the most popular restrictions that come with braces. No gum. Help your child understand why there are food restrictions in place and focus on all the food they CAN eat with braces. The list of restricted foods you will receive is actually pretty short but can be devastating to kids. If your child’s favorite food is restricted, maybe help them find a new special treat to resist the temptation.
Schedule Orthodontist Appointments
Keeping up the recommended appointment schedule is really important for orthodontic care. At Dhingra Orthodontics we will create a customized treatment plan for your child that will include regular office visits. These visits can act as motivation for your child to get a report of clean teeth. Our Orthodontist team in and around Beavercreek, Ohio is happy to partner with parents in caring for their child’s oral hygiene.
At The end of the day, your child’s braces treatment plan won’t last forever. Properly aligned teeth will actually lead to a healthier mouth in the long run. Until then, we are here to support you and your child in their orthodontic needs!
