What Every Kid Should Know Before Getting Braces

Will your child be getting braces to fix an alignment issue with their teeth? If so, it will help if they know the following things about braces so that they are well prepared.

Braces Can Cause Soreness At First

The process of having braces put on your teeth is not going to hurt. However, the initial pressure caused by the braces can cause some soreness in your jaw. Know that the soreness goes away after a couple of days and will happen again after each adjustment is made where the braces are tightened to move your teeth into the proper position. Your orthodontist may recommend rinsing with salt water to help alleviate any discomfort. 

Braces Need Periodic Adjustments 

Be aware that you will be returning frequently to the orthodontist for those adjustments. While every child's mouth is different, expect to return about once a month to see how the treatment is progressing and make necessary adjustments. It's crucial that you attend all of these visits because skipping them is only going to delay the treatment process. 

Braces Require Special Cleaning Techniques

Brushing and flossing your teeth is going to be quite different with braces. It is recommended to use a brush that uses soft bristles and to brush above and below the braces to ensure that all surfaces of the teeth are clean. Consider using a circular motion to help get around the brackets. A proxy brush can be used for cleaning between the braces and the front surface of your teeth. 

For flossing between your teeth, you have some options for how you want to do it. You can use regular dental floss or a floss threader to help get the floss between the brackets. It's also possible to use a floss pick to get the floss behind the brackets since your fingers are likely too big. You can also use a water flosser to help remove plaque that is between your teeth. 

Braces Can Break During The Treatment

It's possible that a wire or bracket will break during the treatment process. If this happens, you should visit your orthodontist as soon as possible to fix the problem. Sharp edges of a broken wire can be covered with dental wax to prevent them from rubbing against the inside of your mouth. If a bracket fell off, try to hold onto that bracket so that it can be put back on your tooth. 

Reach out to your kid's orthodontist if you have questions about treatment.