Do you know how to take care of your braces at school? A new school year with braces on can be nerve-wracking for some. But at Sohn Orthodontics in Bridgeville, it doesn’t have to be! This is why Dr. Sohn walks our young patients through their own orthodontic treatment process. So listen for the bell, kids! Caring For Braces 101 is now in session! We’ll share a couple of tips to help you take care of your braces while you’re at school.
Preparing a Braces Care Kit
Backpack? Check! Lunchbox? Double check! Braces care kit? Wait—what’s a braces care kit?! Going back to school already feels like a challenge on its own. You don’t need an elastic band or tie snapping while you’re on your way to class. Make sure to prepare your own survival kit with the following:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste: As Dr. Sohn will tell you, brushing your teeth is a must. Routine brushing helps prevent food from building up in your teeth. But did you know food can build up in your braces, too? It will if you don’t brush well!
- Floss or floss picks: Regular flossing not only removes debris stuck between teeth but also helps keep your gums healthy by getting into places your brush can’t reach by itself.
- Orthodontic wax: This is a definite essential if you’re wearing braces. It is a specially designed wax that is safe to use on your metal or clear braces. The orthodontic wax will cover any sharp part of your braces that could cause any potential discomfort.
- Pocket-sized mirror: While most school bathrooms have mirrors, it’s never a bad idea to have a portable one. You can use it to check on how your braces are doing during study hall.
- Pain relievers: Did you get braces from Dr. Sohn recently? If so, you might be feeling some discomfort. Recent adjustments might feel a little tight or irritating, also. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can ease some of that and help you get through your day.
You can keep your braces kit in the side or back pocket of your backpack. Or, store it in your locker so you have easy access to it. You never know. You might need it between classes!
Be Careful With Your Food
Our Sohn Orthodontics team recommends getting certain foods off the menu. It’ll help prevent any damage to your braces. To protect your braces from undue harm, here are a few pointers on what to eat and drink
Foods to Avoid
Remember this: as long as you’re wearing metal or clear braces, stay away from sticky candies, hard nuts, and chewy bagels. Sticky treats get stuck between the wires of your braces, and hard foods can break your brackets or even cut your wires.
Braces-Friendly Meals
Take the time to add healthy food to your menu! Fruits like bananas and berries, sandwiches and cheeses, yogurts, and soft pastries are safe for your new braces. You can opt for pasta, cooked vegetables, or rice for heartier meals, too. These foods are easy to chew and are also easy to clean after a meal. While you can eat apples, it’s best to cut these tasty fruits into smaller slices so you don’t break a bracket or a wire!
Manage Discomfort and Emergencies
A sudden sting or a persisting irritation could ruin your day and even affect your performance at school. To protect your academic endeavors (not to mention your smile), make sure to be ready to address the common braces-wearing problems.
Braces Rubbing Against Your Mouth
This is more common among traditional metal braces. Braces have parts that can rub against the inside of your mouth. To avoid pain from rubbing brace parts, simply take a small pinch of orthodontic wax. Roll it into a ball and apply it to the part of your braces that rubs against your cheeks and lips to prevent irritation and injury.
Broken Brackets
It doesn’t happen often. But sometimes brackets can break, come loose, or start moving. Dr. Sohn wants to remind you not to panic. Staying calm will do a whole lot more for you than panic will. Depending on the condition of your bracket, you can cover it with orthodontic wax. Please don’t try to remove any parts on your own! Let our team handle that. Then, set an appointment with our Bridgeville office so Dr. Sohn can fix it immediately.
Cut Or Protruding Wires
Archwires maintain tension on your brackets. The brackets, in turn, apply pressure on each of your teeth. When this medical-grade wire snaps or gets cut, you can cover the exposed wire with orthodontic wax to prevent it from poking the insides of your mouth.
Please do not attempt to cut any of your archwires on your own. We know it’s uncomfortable, but let our expert team at Sohn Orthodontics do it. Instead, place some orthodontic wax on the protruding wire and call our office immediately.
Smile Confidently with Braces You Can Wear Anywhere
Whether at school or home, metal braces and ceramic braces from Sohn Orthodontics help you enjoy life and achieve a better smile. Still, learning how to take care of your braces keeps your treatment on track and minimizes the risks of pain and discomfort. If you’re ready to start your braces treatment, schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Sohn, and our Bridgeville team will take care of the rest.