Even though flossing is a necessity to keep teeth and gums in healthy condition, it's very rare for kids to be willing to floss every day. This matter only becomes worse when kids have braces, because it's even more necessary for them to floss their teeth, but it's harder to do so with braces on. If you're trying to find ways to keep your child's mouth healthy, this guide can provide a few ideas.
Dental Sealants
One way to protect your child's oral health is to have dental sealants applied to their teeth before they have their braces put on. Dental sealants act as an extra layer of protection outside of the enamel of the teeth, which can help to reduce the risk of cavities and decay. Sealants are particularly useful in preventing decay around the edges of the braces brackets, since it can be difficult for the bristles of a toothbrush to thoroughly clean around them.
Water Flosser
Dental sealants are useful for protecting the flat surfaces of teeth, but they don't go in-between teeth. Flossing is complicated even for adults who have braces, since the floss has to be threaded under the wires each time before it can go between the teeth. Thankfully, there's an alternative.
Water flossers have been found to be just as effective as floss in removing particulates of food and plaque build-up. In addition, one study, testing children with braces or other orthodontic devices, found that a water flosser removed three times more plaque than flossing and reduced bleeding more than traditional brushing and flossing.
Perhaps the most important advantage to water flossers is that 92% of the participants said that they would be willing to continue using the water flosser daily or frequently. A cleaning method can't help if kids don't want to use it, so this is a great option.
More Frequent Cleanings
One other option is to have your child see the dentist more frequently than usual. Most dentists suggest that you come in at least twice a year. However, while your child has braces, more frequent cleanings can be helpful in the removal of plaque or tartar build-up around the braces. If cavities develop in an area near the braces, treatment may require removal of their braces, which can prolong the time until your child is finished with their braces treatment.
It's important to take extra steps to maintain oral health while wearing braces. With these tips, you can help to keep your child's teeth and gums healthy while they have braces. For more tips or with any questions, contact your family dentist.
Share29 March 2016
I have always brushed and flossed my teeth daily, but I still had the occasional cavity when I visited the dentist for a check-up. He told me it was normal to have a cavity on occasion and that I shouldn't let it stress me out too much. Well, I am not one to just accept any problem I am having, so I started looking into how to improve my oral hygiene even more. I had always thought mouthwash was just to improve your breath, but I found some that said they helped keep cavities away. I started using one every day before bed. I haven't had a cavity in two years now, and I think the mouth rinse is the reason! I created this blog to remind other people that even if they brush and floss regularly, they can always find ways to take even better care of their teeth.
