What to Expect Before Your Kids Get Braces

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Braces have become a trademark of growing up, and have come a long way from the “nerdy” stereotype. But there is great care that will need to happen before, during, and after treatments, and a few things you may want to explain to your child before they go in to get braces.

Braces Make You Sore

While your child may be getting excited about choosing the colors for their braces (as they should!) it is important to remind them that they may feel a little sore for the first week. Let them know this is because their teeth are moving so that they can have a superhero smile. Ask your doctor for recommended children’s pain relievers to keep on hand.

It Can Take a Few Weeks to Get Used to

Even after the soreness fades (which we promise it will) it can be difficult having that extra millimeter of surface between your child’s gums and their teeth. Using dental wax to cover the brackets will help ease this transition.

How to Handle Sports

Basketball, football, hockey, soccer, and other contact sports can provide potential risks for jamming a brace against gums. Packing on some wax before a game may do the trick, but mouth guards usually are the best option.

No More Candies, Gum, or Ice

This is the hardest part of braces for a kid! Chewy and hard candies, along with crunching on ice are just too much for braces, and will get stuck, damage the brace, or cause tooth discoloration over time. This is a tough one for kids to follow, so offering alternatives might be the best way to handle it. Can’t have candy? Go out for ice cream. Maybe even encourage your kids to keep a small braces kit on hand, just in case.

Braces mean minor lifestyle changes for kids, but it is always worth it in the end when they finally get their braces removed, and see their superhero smile for the first time. Keep appointments regular, and those braces will be off before you can say up, up, and away.

Tips for Keeping Braces Clean

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Having braces requires frequent maintenance and attention. No doubt you have probably seen the slightly frightening pictures of people who finally get their braces removed, only to have their teeth stained around each bracket, like removing old pictures from a wall. This happens when the braces and teeth were not properly cleaned, and is easy to avoid by using some of these helpful steps.

On-the-Go

When wearing braces, it is important to brush three times a day (after every meal!). This may seem a little excessive, but anyone who has experienced the embarrassing moment of getting ready for bed and noticing a piece of spinach from lunch still hanging on one of their front teeth knows that cleaning after meals is worth it. Keep a travel toothbrush always in your pocket, backpack, or purse, and if you have room, keep this recommended kit with you on hand:

  • Small mirror
  • Travel mouthwash
  • Travel toothbrush
  • Interproximal (Christmas Tree) brush
  • Floss

Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

We know you or your kid miss biting into apples, eating popcorn, hard candies, and not having to worry about having pieces of cilantro stuck in a front brace. But aside from avoiding certain foods that are more prone to either damaging or getting stuck in braces, eating smaller bites can help you focus on using your back molars so chewing with front teeth is kept to a minimum.

Let’s be honest, braces are just a stepping stone towards you and your future smile. We know that you work hard to always wear your bands, come in for regular appointments, and do all you can to speed up the process. But amidst all this we hope you don’t forget to “embrace” your smile. You work hard to keep your teeth sparkling, so just don’t forget to show it off!