Good oral hygiene is essential for everybody, but especially for kids with braces. Orthodontics present specific challenges when it comes to keeping teeth clean, so you need to teach your child how to take care of braces.

This article will answer common questions, like what foods kids with braces should avoid. We'll also review a basic braces care routine that includes the following tips:

1. Brush after every meal

2. Floss daily

3. Use the right tools

4. Visit the dentist regularly

Why Is Proper Oral Hygiene Essential for Kids With Braces?

Kids and braces present significant challenges when it comes to oral hygiene. Metal braces make it more difficult to brush and are a haven for food that lodges under the wires. Stuck food increases plaque buildup and the likelihood of tooth decay or gum disease. Sometimes, a child's teeth become so bad that the orthodontist must remove the braces and wait until the issues are resolved before replacing them. Because kids with braces face these problems every day, it's vital to show them how to take care of their braces.

4 Steps to Cleaning and Caring for Braces

You're not alone in worrying about your kid's braces. Around 3.9 million children in the United States are orthodontic patients. There are plenty of other parents who share your concerns about cleaning and caring for braces.

The crucial thing is to convince kids with braces to take their braces care routine seriously. It can be useful to remind kids that proper oral hygiene will help keep their orthodontic treatment as short as possible. Because kids are getting early treatment for braces at a young age, you may need to supervise their cleaning routine. To keep their teeth healthy and their braces clean, it's essential that kids:

1. Brush After Every Meal

Brushing after every meal will help remove food particles stuck in and around braces. Your child should take at least two minutes to brush their teeth each time. Before brushing, your child should remove any rubber bands on their braces. 

Then, they should hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to their gums and clean each tooth gently with a back and forth motion. They should be sure to brush along their gum line and underneath the wires. Braces for kids need to be brushed thoroughly, carefully and gently.

If your child can't brush after a meal, say because they're at school, it's critical that they rinse their mouth with water after eating. And they should remember to put on a new set of rubber bands when they're done brushing.

2. Floss Daily

Braces for children make flossing difficult but not impossible. Flossing is essential to cleaning and caring for braces because it removes the food particles that brushing can't reach.

A floss threader, a small plastic wand with a loop at the end, can help your child guide the floss between the wires of their dental braces. Your child should floss behind each wire and between all their teeth, using a clean section of floss for each position. 

A good swish with mouthwash is an excellent post-flossing step.

3. Use the Right Tools

Your child needs the proper tools to learn how to take care of braces. They should use a soft-bristle brush, and an electric toothbrush would be ideal. Many electric toothbrushes are equipped with a gentle setting and a two-minute timer to help keep your child on track. We recommend using fluoride toothpaste to give your child an extra edge in keeping their teeth clean.

An oral irrigator, like a WaterPik, also can help dislodge stuck food particles. It should be used in addition to brushing and flossing, not instead of.

Many children also find it helpful to use small interdental brushes to get between and underneath the wires on their braces.

If your child is active in sports, a mouth guard is another essential piece of equipment to help protect their braces and teeth. 

4. Visit the Dentist Regularly

While your child will have scheduled appointments with their orthodontist, these aren't a replacement for regular visits to the dentist. At their dentist appointments, your child will get their teeth cleaned, which is another essential component of caring for braces. Routine dental care will keep teeth healthy and ensure a winning smile.

Foods That Kids With Braces Should Avoid

Wearing braces and keeping them clean is only half the battle. Knowing what foods to avoid can help keep your kid's braces and teeth clean and safe. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, your child shouldn't eat:

• Hard candy

• Caramels

• Taffy

• Jellybeans

• Chewy candy

• Bubble gum

• Suckers

• Licorice

• Sour candy

• Popcorn

• Nuts

Hard foods like apples and carrots also should be avoided, unless cut into small pieces. Likewise, corn should be removed from the cob before kids with braces eat it.

Trust Your Kid's Braces to Beth's Braces

Now that you know how to take care of braces, you're ready for the next step. Beth's Braces is a leading orthodontist in Henderson, Las Vegas, and the surrounding areas. We'll treat your child with the care and concern they deserve, ensuring a happy, healthy smile. Contact us today for an appointment.