For kids with braces, knowing how to properly floss their teeth is important to the overall health of their smile. Although it can be difficult to clean between the wires, using the right technique helps prevent bad breath and cavities.
Below is everything you should know about caring for your child’s teeth while they have braces.
Learning to brush and floss teeth at an early age is key to a healthy smile. These habits can be interrupted when braces are introduced. With their wires and brackets, braces block parts of the tooth and make it hard to reach plaque buildup.
Since children usually wear braces up to two years, making sure teeth stay healthy during the process is important. Most dentists recommend that individuals with braces brush their teeth after every meal.
Colgate offers the following tips for brushing and flossing teeth with braces:
It is a good idea for kids to floss every time they brush their teeth to remove any remaining particles stuck between teeth or in braces.
Brushing and flossing is about more than having pretty teeth—it’s about preventing tooth decay. Cavities are the number one issue facing children, according to the National Oral Health Foundation. Brushing and flossing prevents common dental problems like gingivitis, tartar, and demineralization.
Because wearing braces makes it more difficult to brush and floss well, special care must be taken.
Although flossing is important, flossing alone isn’t enough. Children with braces should see a dentist at least twice a year to prevent cavities and infection. Kool Smiles is a network of dental practices throughout the United States that focuses on kids.
We accept many forms of payment, including Medicaid, state-sponsored health insurance plans (SCHIP), TRICARE, and most private health insurance plans.
Kool Smiles offers a wide range of services, including cleaning, fillings, and orthodontics (at many locations). Call Kool Smiles today to make an appointment.
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Sources:
KidsHealth: http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/braces.html
Colgate: http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/early-orthodontics/article/how-to-brush-teeth-with-braces-0513
NCOHF: http://www.ncohf.org/resources/tooth-decay-facts
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