So, your child has gotten braces. They certainly aren’t alone; an estimated 3.9 million children in the United States are orthodontic patients right now, according to Aaoinfo.org. We need braces for straight teeth, but also for moving them around in the mouth for further procedures, aiding in the realignment of their bite, and much more. But they aren’t necessarily easy to deal with, especially in the beginning.

Typically, braces are worn for months or even years, and during that time your child will need to take some extra steps to maintain their oral hygiene. If they don’t, they could end up with teeth that are worse off than they were they began orthodontic treatment. So, what do you need to make sure your child does if they have braces?

1. Buy a Special Toothbrush

The first thing you need to do is ensure that your child has the right tools to care for their teeth following the application of braces. Their normal toothbrush will not work as well as it should with the addition of braces. There are specially made toothbrushes meant for braces, which you may be able to have provided by your child’s orthodontist. Otherwise, a smaller toothbrush, perhaps even a toothbrush meant for babies, may do the trick.

2. Utilize Dental Floss

Another thing you need to do is ensure that your child uses dental floss. Everyone should floss with or without braces, but they’re especially needed once braces are added into the picture. Food can easily get stuck between the teeth or within the braces themselves. Additionally, the use of floss with braces will ensure that your child’s gums are in better shape.

3. Cut Certain Foods

In order to ensure that your child’s teeth are at their best with braces, you should make sure that they don’t eat certain foods. The easiest way to do that is to simply cut those foods out from their diet. Things like gum, popcorn, taffy, and corn on the cob will need to be taken away until your child is finished with their braces.

There are a lot of things that you need to keep in mind while your child has braces. Braces are a big responsibility, and not all children are ready for that responsibility. But by utilizing proper care, you can ensure that they get what they need out of their braces.