Taking care of braces and aligners at school will be a huge part of your child’s orthodontic care and maintenance. According to Invisalign, it’s estimated that over 10 million people, including more than 1.4 million teens, use these clear aligners to improve their smiles. Whether the patient is using Invisalign or traditional braces, it’s crucial to continue care while at school. Here are some tips on how to care for braces or aligners at school.

Pack a Care Bag

Your child will need to have a dedicated care bag for braces to carry to school with them. This little bag of care essentials will make it easy for kids to maintain proper braces care during school. In the bag should be a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, dental wax, lip balm, and rubber bands. For younger children check this bag often to make sure it still has all of the essentials.

Stay Away from Harmful Foods

When your child or teen is away at school, it could be tempting to indulge in foods or snacks that are harmful to braces. It’s crucial that they stay on track with making good choices. Choosing to eat harmful foods could result in damage to the braces. This can become inconvenient and expensive over time. Your child might also wind up getting an oral injury if wires break at school.

Brush and Floss After Lunch

Your child will be eating lunch or snacks at school. They will need to use their care bag to brush and floss their teeth after eating. Patients with braces or aligners don’t have the option of skipping a brush after a meal. Food gets stuck in much more hard-to-reach places; the longer it hides in the mouth, the more likely it is to cause damaging bacteria.

Use a Mouthguard If Needed

Most kids will be participating in some form of sports or PE while at school. What might seem like a small bump or injury for most people, can become a painful and even bloody mess for a child with braces in their mouth. To protect the mouth during sporting events or PE, a mouthguard should be worn.

Stick With Water

Teeth with braces are far more susceptible to plaque buildup. Sugary drinks only worsen this problem. While wearing braces, it’s important to drink primarily water. Water will help to wash away bacteria and food particles to help keep your teeth cleaner.

If you’re looking for quality orthodontic care, please contact Dr. Bret Ortho today. We’re here for your orthodontic needs.