How to Take Care of My Braces at School?

Students and braces truly do go hand in hand, though we offer them to patients of all ages ! Going to school can present some unique circumstances for maintaining your appliances. So today, Brodsky Orthodontics will tell you how to take care of your braces at school.

A Cheat Sheet for Braces

In our office at Brodsky Orthodontics, we offer both traditional metal braces and InBrace Hidden Braces , which are applied to the back of teeth. Here are a few ideas to help you navigate wearing your braces while you’re at school:

1. Pack a Dental Kit: This kit can include items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, orthodontic wax, and a compact mirror. This helps you maintain good oral hygiene and manage any discomfort during the school day.
2. Use Orthodontic Wax: To reduce discomfort during the day, apply your orthodontic wax to brackets or wires that might cause irritation.
3. Be Mindful of What You Eat: Choose braces-friendly foods for lunch and snacks. Avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods that can damage your braces. Opt for soft fruits, yogurt, sandwiches with soft bread, and other gentle options. 
4. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the school day to keep your mouth hydrated and help prevent dry mouth, which is a common side effect with braces. This is especially important for student-athletes, who usually already need to hydrate more frequently.
5. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Try to be diligent about brushing your teeth after meals to prevent food from getting lodged in your braces. If you’re not in a position where you can brush, at least thoroughly rinse your mouth out with water.
6. Wear a Mouthguard: Be sure to protect your braces and teeth during sports or physical activities by wearing an appropriate mouthguard which says “for orthodontics” on it.
7. Communicate with Teachers: Inform your teachers about your routine with your braces, especially if you need to excuse yourself for any dental care or orthodontic appointments.
8. Chew Carefully: During lunch, take small bites and chew slowly. This helps avoid putting too much pressure on your braces and hurting the appliance.
9. Reach Out for Help: If you experience any sudden issues with your braces while at school, visit your school nurse or contact our Brodsky Orthodontics for advice.
10. Avoid Sticky and Hard Foods: Do your best to stay away from foods like gum, candy, and nuts that will usually damage your braces.
11. Stay Positive: Wearing braces is a temporary step towards the smile of your dreams. Keep your end goal in mind, even if it’s difficult, and try to stay positive.
12. Keep Up with Regular Checkups: Don’t skip your orthodontic appointments with us, even during the school year! We schedule regular checkups because they are important for making adjustments and monitoring progress.

Growing Pains

In addition to all of this, Dr. Joel , Dr. Charles , and Dr. Jeremy fully understand that this period of life poses unique challenges to our patients.  

• Peer Support: Seek out in-person and online groups or communities where you can share experiences and receive support from others undergoing similar treatment.

• Buddy System: If you have a friend who is also undergoing clear aligner treatment, support and hold each other accountable throughout the process. There’s also a chance that you’ll have a sibling or parent who has had or currently has orthodontic appliances. You can lean on each other during this time, too!

• Regular Check-Ins: Attend your orthodontic check-ups diligently to ensure your treatment is progressing as planned and to address any concerns promptly.

• Educate Yourself: Learn how and why aligners work. Utilize modern resources such as YouTube channels and blogs where people share their orthodontic experiences, which can provide valuable real-life insights.

• Track Your Progress: Take photos of yourself or your child to help show a record of progress! It can be incredibly gratifying to see how your smile evolves over time. Brodsky Orthodontics will also help you keep a visual record.

• Reward System: Create a small reward system for yourself for sticking to your schedule and maintaining good hygiene. Consider saving small amounts of money toward something you want to buy or treating yourself to a special snack.

Making the Grade

Remember, you’re never alone in your treatment journey. We love seeing our patients take steps in the right direction and achieve an amazing new smile. At Brodsky Orthodontics , we’re here to support you from day one to the finish line, regardless of where your graduation falls along the way! Our Lakewood office is proud to serve local students— give us a call !