Starting a new school year is always an exciting process, but for some of our patients, it can also mean making some adjustments. Heading back to school with braces can take some getting used to, and there are a number of changes you'll need to make to properly care for your braces during school. But don't worry: maintaining braces at school is easy, and whether you're getting braces in Boerne, Fair Oaks, or any of the surrounding areas, the team at Boerne Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry is here to help!
How to Take Care of
Braces at School
Generally, it's pretty easy to care for braces during the summertime. You have all the freedom you need to brush your teeth after every meal, your oral hygiene supplies are always close at hand, and you have complete freedom to get foods that are safe for braces. But once you head back into the school routine, caring for braces can be a little more difficult. Here are our tips for keeping our teeth and braces healthy during the school year:
- Plan Ahead or Pack a Lunch: School cafeterias aren't always ideal for taking care of braces, so we recommend checking with your school ahead of time to ensure there's something on the menu that's braces-friendly. If that proves difficult, it's always a safe bet to pack a lunch with foods that are safe for braces.
- Bring a Water Bottle: Your teeth are especially susceptible to dental decay while wearing braces. One of the simplest ways to help prevent this is to bring a reusable water bottle and make a point to drink plain water regularly. This helps flush away any residual food particles or acids, keeping your teeth clean and healthy.
- Make a Care Kit: Another simple way to care for braces on the go is to construct a portable braces care kit that you can take with you to school. Pack a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, floss threaders, elastics, and anything else you need to properly care for your braces into a small box or bag, then keep it with you in your locker or backpack and use it to clean your teeth after every meal or snack. This makes it much easier to brush your teeth and braces at school, which is vital to proper treatment!
Contact Your Boerne and
Fair Oaks, TX Kids Orthodontist
We hope these tips make the transition to the school year a little easier, and if you have more questions about heading back to school with braces, we're always here to answer them. Contact us today with any questions or to schedule a checkup appointment. We can't wait to hear from you, and we wish you a happy, braces-friendly school year!