It’s that time of year again! As summer winds down, getting your child ready for back-to-school days can be both exciting and stressful, especially if they are new to wearing braces. Fortunately, it just takes a little bit of preparation, and your child will be back in the swing of things in no time, feeling confident instead of self-conscious!
Wearing braces can make your child feel shy as they wonder what their peers will think about them, but soon enough, they will see that they are not alone and are in good company surrounded by others in braces, so they will actually blend right in. To best prepare them, they’ll need some oral hygiene supplies in their backpack as their new routine falls into place.
Back-to-School Braces Kit
The best way to prepare your child is by giving them a braces care kit to stow in their backpack along with their pens and notebooks. It will make their braces as easy as possible to care for and help them be ready for anything. All it takes is a small bag with the toothy tools they’ll need while wearing braces to keep braces clean and their mouth comfortable throughout their school day. Supply your child with the following tools in their braces care kit:
- Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss (to clear away food particles after lunch or snacks)
- Dental wax and extra rubber bands (to cover brackets or wires irritating their cheeks, gums, or lips)
- Lip balm (to keep their lips moist and comfortable)
- Small mirror (to spot any stray bits of food stuck in teeth)
Watching What They Drink
Did you know that water helps your child’s brain work faster, boosts concentration, balances mood and emotions while improving memory? Staying hydrated not only boosts brain productivity but helps your child keep their braces clean and free from stray bits of food particles. Packing a refillable water bottle will also help clean their mouth while stimulating healthy saliva levels. It will also help them avoid sugary drinks and sodas that can stain their teeth, potentially leaving white spots when their braces finally come off!
Watching What They Eat
Be sure your child knows to avoid certain foods while in braces. It means leaving crunchy things like raw carrots, whole apples, nuts, and sticky foods like candy and gum behind as they can break wires and brackets that your child won’t enjoy dealing with during their school day. Make sure your child packs foods they can easily consume (like yogurt or applesauce) that can take the sweet-craving edge off in a way that’s good for their teeth. Packing a lunch can take the guesswork out of lunch lines in a crowded cafeteria while being friendly to their smiles. Providing meals from home (cut into easily chewed, bite-sized pieces) can make lunch simple and easy, even with sandwiches.
Watching What Gets Trapped in Their Teeth
A handy tool for ensuring your child’s teeth don’t harbor stuck food particles in their braces all day is to have a small mirror in their backpack. It can help them feel less self-conscious and catch bits of food early, so they don’t need to feel embarrassed while talking with old and new friends! Especially since no one may tell them, hey, you have some spinach in your teeth.
Protective Mouth Guard
And finally, wearing a mouthguard when engaging in gym classes or contact sports can increase the odds of keeping your child’s teeth, gums, and cheeks damage-free. Whether your child has a volleyball, football, or basketball streaking towards their face, a protective mouthguard can give their smile the safety they need. You can even get them a mouthguard designed to fit over their braces to save your child from pain and injury.
There’s no better time than now to give your child the right tools to succeed in the new school year! Helping them be prepared for their first week while wearing braces can help them relax, feel more confident, and be ready to smile for school photos, classes, and activities. It can be their best school year yet!
