Categories: Types of Braces

How to Care for Children’s Braces: Tips for Parents

Children’s braces are a common orthodontic treatment for several reasons. Not only are they effective in correcting misaligned teeth, but they are also generally easy to care for. Still, it is normal for parents to have questions about their proper care and maintenance. Following a few tips can help set your child up for success throughout and after orthodontic treatment. 

Understanding children’s braces

Children’s braces straighten teeth and correct overbites, underbites, and other bite issues for aesthetic and oral health reasons. The smile will look more uniform at the end of this common orthodontic treatment, and the teeth will be easier to clean and care for. Correcting misaligned teeth can also improve speech patterns and bite force.

Types of children’s braces

Most children get traditional metal braces, which use metal brackets, metal archwires, and elastics to shift the teeth. Due to their various components, metal braces are best at correcting severe misalignments. Self-litigating braces have a similar framework but are not elastic, making them easier to clean than metal braces but less powerful.

Other, less common options include ceramic children's braces, which use ceramic components instead of metal ones. They are discreet because they blend with the teeth better than metal. However, when cared for improperly, they may become discolored and appear less aesthetically pleasing than intended.

Finally, children can also get lingual braces, which are cemented on the backs of the teeth. Lingual braces are the most discreet children’s braces option because they are not visible when the child smiles. Often, people only notice them if the patient opens their mouth wide and points them out. That said, they can be the hardest to care for due to their placement.

Tips for parents to care for and help with children’s braces

With proper care and attention, parents can increase the efficacy of children’s braces. They can also help make braces a more comfortable experience for the patient. Here are a few tips parents can follow in regards to children’s braces:

Teach and encourage good habits

Caring for children's braces is important to their dental health journey. This starts with good habits like daily care and oral hygiene. Most children know the basics of good oral hygiene (i.e., daily brushing and flossing) by the time they get braces. Therefore, the parents’ role will be to encourage the child to continue those good habits when they have braces. Doing so prevents braces damage, enamel decalcification, tooth decay (cavities), gum disease, and other oral health issues. It also keeps treatment times as short as possible.

Help make oral hygiene easier with specialized tools

Unfortunately, it is common for patients to start neglecting oral hygiene once they get children’s braces. This is because proper oral hygiene becomes more difficult due to the presence of brackets and wires. To make it easier, consider purchasing floss threaders and interdental brushes so the child can easily clean around the brackets and wires.

Stock up with tools to alleviate temporary discomfort

Another reason children may neglect oral hygiene with braces is the temporary discomfort they may cause. Parents can have pain management tools on hand to help alleviate pain and discomfort and to prevent potential interruptions to orthodontic treatment. Most often, the patient will need these tools after having their children’s braces tightened during a checkup.

Soreness and discomfort, especially after a dental professional tightens the braces, can be alleviated with over-the-counter children's pain medication. Bite wafers can also help. All the patient will need to do is bite down on this plastic-like wafer to put pressure on the teeth. It will hurt slightly at first, but the pressure will then quickly relieve pain from tightened braces.

Alternatively, orthodontic wax can help when brackets irritate the cheeks or tongue. The patient can cover the problem bracket with this wax to protect the soft tissues of the mouth.

Keep up with the treatment plan

Regular visits to the pediatric dentist are the cornerstone of children’s braces treatment. These appointments allow the dentist to ensure the braces are in good condition and working as intended. Inconsistent care or missed visits can delay treatment progress. Thus, keeping these regular appointments is one of the most important actions a parent can take to enhance the care and efficacy of children’s braces.

Consult a pediatric dentist about children’s braces

Parents can help make their child’s orthodontic treatment more comfortable and successful by following the tips above. Speak to a pediatric dentist to get more advice about children’s braces. Contact our Middletown office for an appointment today.

Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

Pros And Cons Of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are plastic coatings that protect teeth surfaces from decay. Since children are highly susceptible to cavities, pediatric dentists often recommend sealants to protect molars and premolars upon eruption. If you are considering this preventive treatment for your child, read on to learn more about the pros and cons of dental sealants.Tooth decay is…

A Dentist Explains The Dental Sealants Process

Dental sealants safeguard the teeth against tooth decay by forming a barrier between bacterial plaque and the tooth enamel. The many tiny grooves on the surfaces of the back teeth may catch food particles. Since routine brushing cannot entirely remove them, they often stay there for an extended period. Cavities develop as a result of…

How Dental Sealants Reduce The Risk Of A Dental Emergency

If a cavity develops and worsens, it could lead to the risk of a dental emergency due to an infection or severe discomfort. Dental sealants significantly reduce the risk of a dental emergency by helping to prevent cavities in vulnerable areas of teeth. Read on to learn how dental sealants can prevent a dental emergency…

5 Ways Pediatric Dentistry Builds Healthy Habits For A Child's Oral Health

Pediatric dentistry is a field of dental care that helps foster healthy oral habits in children and adolescents that can last a lifetime. By introducing young patients to regular dental care early on, these dental professionals and the patient's parents can set the foundation for strong, healthy teeth and gums. Here are five ways pediatric…

Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry

Share
Published by
Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry

Recent Posts

Pros and Cons of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are plastic coatings that protect teeth surfaces from decay. Since children are highly…

3 days ago

A Dentist Explains the Dental Sealants Process

Dental sealants safeguard the teeth against tooth decay by forming a barrier between bacterial plaque…

5 days ago

How Dental Sealants Reduce the Risk of a Dental Emergency

If a cavity develops and worsens, it could lead to the risk of a dental…

1 week ago

5 Ways Pediatric Dentistry Builds Healthy Habits for a Child’s Oral Health

Pediatric dentistry creates a welcoming and child-friendly environment to help children feel comfortable during cleaning…

2 weeks ago

Cavity Treatment for Kids: How to Protect Your Child’s Growing Smile

Treating cavities in children as soon as they are detected is crucial for several reasons.

2 weeks ago

How Dental Sealants Are Important for Preventive Dentistry

Protecting your child's teeth from cavities is crucial, and dental sealants can play a significant…

2 weeks ago