How should my child take care of braces?

When your child is undergoing orthodontic treatment – one of the commonest questions you are likely to ask is “How should my child take care of his/her braces?”

In this article Dr Krishnaraj explains how a child should take care of her/his braces.

It is an extremely important question because special care of the teeth is really important while your child is undergoing orthodontic treatment for the following reasons –

Detailed article continues below the video

Why is it important to take special care of the teeth during orthodontic treatment?

1.  Braces cost money

   It is important to get the treatment done correctly in the defined period of time to make best use of the money spent

2. Orthodontic treatment requires time and effort

   It takes several months sometimes years to get accomplish good results with orthodontic treatment and it involves several trips to the dentist. If proper care is not taken – the treatment may be ineffective and your child may gain nothing out of the time and effort put in.

3. Braces make the teeth weak

   When braces are placed on the teeth they exert pressure on the teeth in order to move them. Because teeth are moving and are in a transitional phase they are not as strong as they are otherwise. And so they require greater care during this phase.

4. Food gets stuck in the braces

   Braces are temporary fixtures on the teeth and they do make it difficult for your child to clean the teeth. Food can get stuck in the teeth because of the many wires and fixtures on them and it may be very difficult to remove this food.

   Also Read Does My Child Need Braces?

How to take care of braces

1. Maintain proper oral hygiene

   For a child – brushing the teeth and successfully cleaning them is a challenge even under normal circumstances – and it becomes even more difficult when there are braces on the teeth which create more spaces for food to get stuck. So while your child has braces on the teeth or is undergoing orthodontic treatment – ensure that your child brushes twice a day. Brush in the morning and night and use a mouthwash to ensure cleanliness in between.

   Also Read Tooth Decay And Cavity In Children – causes And Prevention

2. Watch what you eat 

   Do not eat chewy foods like pizza. Food that is chewy is also likely to be sticky and it becomes very difficult to clean the braces and the teeth when food is stuck to them. Also do not eat hard foods like nuts and crackers. When you are trying to bite the hard food – you may end up breaking the braces. And if your braces break – your treatment for which you are putting in so much time energy and money – stops. You need to get your braces put in again and the duration of your treatment is prolonged.

   It is important to take care of the braces well so that the orthodontic treatment proceeds on time – as per schedule so that the braces can be removed as soon as possible and the teeth can be moved effectively. It is also most important to clean the teeth well so that the gums are around the teeth do not get infected. When food is stuck around your braces – that affects the gums. The gums start bleeding and become soft and spongy. This is not a desirable occurrence in any circumstance and can be very difficult to treat and manage when your child is undergoing orthodontic treatment.

   Orthodontic treatment involves teamwork between the dentist and the patient and his/her parents. Make sure you are aware of everything you must do to ensure that the treatment proceeds smoothly without complications and is finished at the right time.

   Also Read At What Age Should My Child Get Braces?

About Dr. Krishnaraj

Dr Krishnaraj Ganeshnarayan is a renowned periodontist with the highest qualifications in dentistry that anyone can possibly have. He is BDS, MDS and also has a Ph.D from the Rutgers University USA.

Dr Krishnaraj is a Consultant Periodntist at Delta Dental Care which is owned and managed by his wife Dr Arundati Krishnaraj. He is also professor at a reputed dental college and has worked extensively to bring about quality assurance in dental practice for NABH.

Dr Krishnaraj enjoys making complicated things in the dental sciences – simple and easy to understand and apply for his patients