Summer is over, and school is starting up again! It’s a hectic time: keeping track of new schedules for the year, planning after-school activities, and scheduling orthodontic appointments. When making lists for back-to-school shopping for your child with braces, our dental surgeon in Marion, NC, wants you to keep the tips below in mind.
#1: Healthy Snacks
It’s important to teach your child healthy eating habits while keeping their braces in mind. Avoid sugary foods, as the teeth are more prone to decay with braces on, and hard, chewy, or crunchy snacks like nuts, pretzels or fruit gummies as they can damage brackets and irritate the gums. Some great healthy snacks for your child with braces are foods such as:
- Steamed vegetables
- Soft crackers
- Soft fruits like kiwis and strawberries
- Yogurt
- Soft Cheeses
- Hard-boiled eggs
Pack your child’s lunch with soft sandwiches like banana or easy-to-chew lunch meat alongside these braces-safe snacks.
#2: Travel-Sized Dental Care Packages
Brushing and flossing are integral to the health of your child’s teeth. For kids with braces, it’s crucial to do it after every meal, as food particles can easily become trapped between teeth and stick to brackets.
Send your child to school with a travel-sized dental package to encourage their dental routine. The package should contain a small tube of toothpaste, a mini-toothbrush and a roll of floss. With this on hand, it will make it convenient for your child to care for their braces between classes.
#3: Mouth Protection for Those Who Play Sports
It is vital for your child to protect their teeth and braces when playing sports. Mouthguards protect the teeth from injury and can prevent damage to braces. Here at TS Orthodontics, we can make custom-fitted devices and mouthguards to protect your child’s teeth. Call us today to learn more!
Contact Our Dental Surgeon in Marion, NC, for Help
For more helpful tips on back-to-school dental health care, call our friendly office today! We’re always ready to help you and your child achieve your best smiles!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to orthodontics, feel free to contact TS Orthodontics, with a convenient orthodontist office in Marion, NC, by clicking here or by calling 828.263.4514.