There’s something so exciting about wearing braces at school. Is it the colored elastics, or is it the idea of being the talk of the town for the day? Whatever it is, don’t let the responsibility of maintaining them weigh down your excitement. Dr. Kovacs of Kovacs Orthodontics shares five tips on how to take care of your braces at school.
For some, these tips may take a little getting used to, but sooner or later, they will be second nature to you.
Before Going to School
Ready Your Braces Survival Kit
A care kit is a staple of braces treatment, and it’s something you don’t want to leave home without, no matter what. While you can purchase braces essentials kits in stores, creating your own adds a personal touch to your braces care routine. Before you head to bed, make sure you already have these essentials:
- Soft-bristled toothbrush: This type of toothbrush prevents braces damage when brushing. Dr. Kovacs recommends getting a collapsible soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Travel-Sized Fluoride Toothpaste: A smaller toothpaste fits right into your braces kit. Plus, you’ll get your smile’s daily fluoride needs.
- Travel-Sized Mouthwash: This item keeps your mouth fresh and clean before your next class.
- Interdental Brush: It makes cleaning between your teeth less of a hassle. Because of this, our smile prefers interdental brushes over dental floss, as the latter requires threading — which is harder if you’re not used to it. Take note that interdental brushes come in different brands and sizes.
- Orthodontic Wax: Orthodontic wax acts as a “shield” or “wall” between the metal parts of your braces and your gums and inner mouth. It is best used when you’re still getting used to your newly adjusted (or installed) braces, though we recommend keeping one in your kit in case a wire breaks in the middle of a school day.
- Compact Mirror: A handy tool for when you need to take a quick look at your mouth for stuck food in your braces.
- OTC Medications: Medications help relieve the gentle pressure on your smile, helping you maintain your productivity at school. Don’t worry. This sensation will go away as your teeth gradually adjust to your braces.
- Lip Balm: It hydrates and prevents lips from chapping.
Be sure to invest in a carrying case to store these essentials, which will make them easier to carry to and from the school restroom.
Plan and Prepare Your Meals
Our metal and clear braces are durable enough to withstand daily wear in your everyday life. However, that doesn’t mean you should eat or drink whatever you like. Since braces are composed of metal components, they can break if you munch on crunchy foods.
If you and your parents love preparing school lunches (and snacks), Dr. Kovacs and his smile share a couple of braces-friendly meals and beverages:
- Scrambled eggs
- Pasta
- Soft fruits and vegetables
- Soft bread
- Shredded chicken
- Ground beef
- Fish
- Fishsticks
- Meatloaf
- Egg salad
- Tuna salad
- Sandwiches with chicken or tuna
One common denominator of these foods is they’re all easy to chew, and therefore, won’t cause further discomfort on your smile. If your family doesn’t have time for meal prep, feel free to use the above list as your reference when buying food in the cafeteria.
At School
Cut, Cut, Cut
At Kovacs Orthodontics, we don’t encourage our patients in Billings and Miles City to take big bites of food as chewing bigger bites can be harder than usual. If you just had your braces or they’re freshly adjusted, this can trigger discomfort and, even worse, damage your braces. To prevent this, our expert team suggests cutting food into smaller pieces
Keep Your Braces and Pearly Whites Clean After Lunch
More often than not, schools only allot an hour for lunch. As such, you need to manage your time. Thankfully, brushing with braces only takes two to three minutes, depending on your speed.
Prepare your braces care kit, and let’s help you keep your braces sparkling throughout the day:
- After rinsing your mouth, apply fluoride toothpaste to your soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Begin brushing above and below your brackets in a circular motion. Repeat this step to clean your teeth, too.
- Turn your toothbrush upwards and brush the inner part of your teeth in a back-and-forth motion.
- Turn your toothbrush downwards and do the same for your lower teeth.
- Remove food scraps from your teeth using an interdental brush.
Braces First Aid
You’ll never know when a wire will break or when any other orthodontic emergency can happen. Even if the chances are slim, Dr. Kovacs recommends staying prepared at school with basic braces first-aid skills:
- Floating (Loose) Brackets:
- Using your finger or tweezers, gently push the bracket into place.
- Squeeze a pea-sized amount of orthodontic wax on your finger and apply it to the loose bracket to prevent friction-based mouth irritation.
- Broken Wire
- For your safety, put tissue inside your mouth.
- Use small pliers to cut the excess part of the wire.
- Protruding Wire
- Push the wire flat against the tooth using your finger or a clean object.
- For added safety, apply orthodontic wax at the end of the wire to avoid bleeding and irritation.
After you’ve completed these steps, call Dr. Kovacs after school to schedule an appointment so we can replace the broken components and prevent delays in your treatment.
Slay Your Braces Care At School
Caring for your braces doesn’t stop at home or on holidays; it also extends to school. By setting aside time to clean your braces, you become responsible for your own treatment and oral health.
Want to get started on your braces journey? Reach out to our Billings or Miles City office, and we’ll help you get a smile that lasts from the first day of school and beyond.