Wearing orthodontic appliances like braces or retainers requires special care to ensure they remain effective and your teeth stay healthy. This can be especially challenging when you’re at school, away from home and your usual routine. Here are some tips for caring for your orthodontic appliances while at school.
Pack a Dental Kit
It’s a good idea to pack a small dental kit in your backpack or locker, including a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and a small mirror. This will allow you to quickly freshen up after meals or snacks, and help you avoid getting food particles stuck in your braces or retainers.
Avoid Sticky and Hard Foods
Sticky and hard foods like gum, hard candy and popcorn can damage your braces or retainers and make them difficult to clean. Instead, choose softer foods like yogurt, fruit cups or a sandwich with soft bread.
Brush After Meals
Brushing after meals is especially important when wearing braces or retainers to remove any food particles that may have become lodged in the appliance. If you can’t brush after a meal, rinse your mouth with water to help dislodge any food particles.
Wear a Mouthguard
If you participate in sports or other physical activities at school, it’s important to wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your orthodontic appliance from damage.
Keep a Retainer Case Handy
If you wear a retainer, keep a case handy to store it safely while you eat or participate in activities. This will help prevent it from being misplaced or accidentally thrown away.
Schedule Regular Checkups
Regular checkups with your orthodontist and your general dentist are important to monitor the progress of your treatment and make any necessary adjustments to your appliance. Your oral health is important to total wellness so sometimes you may need to skip school or fun after-school activities so that your treatment stays on track. Even if you have to have a friend bring you that day’s homework assignment, prioritizing regular appointments is important to the outcome of your treatment.
By following these tips, you can maintain good oral health and ensure that your orthodontic appliance remains effective while at school. Remember to always follow Dr. Black’s instructions for care and maintenance of your appliance, and call (434)515-0370 right away if you experience any pain or damage to your appliance. Please do not wait to let us know about breakages at your upcoming appointment. Those appointments are scheduled assuming you have maintained your appliances intact and do not allow for full repair, especially if we were not informed in advance of a breakage. Please send us a text as soon as anything seems out of ordinary with your appliance!