Back To School With Braces

There may still be a few weeks before summer ends and it’s officially fall, but most kids are saying goodbye to lazy days by the pool and heading back to school. As we prepare to settle back into a routine for a new school year, let’s talk about caring for braces, especially for kids who joined our Silver Smiles Orthodontics’ smile squad over the summer!

Wearing Snellville braces at school comes with its own set of ups and downs, but the good news is, it will become just another part of your child’s daily routine before you know it. In the beginning, however, your child may be a little anxious because they aren’t sure what to expect in the coming weeks and months. Don’t worry! With a little patience, practice, and support from our Snellville Orthodontist and our team, your child will make the transition from summer to school like a pro. Keep reading below for our best tips on surviving the school year in braces!

Stay Prepared With A Braces Care Kit

We recommend all braces patients keep a kit with them at school, both for proper braces care and in cases where minor issues may pop during the day.

Items For Kit:

☀️ Fluoride toothpaste

☀️ Soft bristle toothbrush

☀️ Floss or Waterpik

☀️ Orthodontic wax

☀️ Over-the-counter pain relievers for any swelling or soreness from a previous adjustment

☀️ Eraser (The end can be used to push any protruding wires back into place. Where has this life hack been all our lives?!)

This Small Kit Is Perfect For Backpacks, Purses, Or Lockers. All Items Can Easily Fit In A Small Baggie Or Pencil Bag, Or You Can Stop By One Of Our Offices For A Cool Bag To Store These Items For Easy Access

DIY Braces Care

As we briefly mentioned above, it’s not unusual for minor problems to creep up with your child’s braces from time to time. Although this can be annoying, many of these issues are easy to fix with a little know-how and a few common items. Here’s how you can help your child handle DIY braces care when they’re on the go!

General Mouth Irritation

If your child is experiencing any non-specific irritation in their cheeks, lips, or gums, orthodontic wax is an easy way to get some relief! Have them make sure the bracket or wire is completely dry, then pinch off a small amount of wax and roll it into a ball. Flatten this ball, then place it where the irritation is.

Protruding Wires

Wires can sometimes come loose, causing aggravation to the inside of your child’s mouth. This can be easily relieved with a simple pencil by using the eraser end to nudge it back against the teeth until it flattens out. A piece of orthodontic wax can also be placed over the wire to reduce irritation and provide some extra stability.

Loose Bracket

If your child has a loose bracket, it’s important to let us know about it as soon as possible so we can help you decide what the next step needs to be. In the meantime, try sliding the bracket back along the wire to the center of the tooth. Orthodontic wax placed over the bracket can also help add stability.

Keep Our Contact Details Close By

As a Atlanta braces patient, there are lots of situations your child can handle on their own. However, they may sometimes experience a problem that requires immediate attention from our orthodontist in Atlanta. Make sure you have all our contact information in your phone or written down somewhere, including phone numbers and our email address. If your child does happen to run into an unexpected orthodontic problem at school, give us a call and we’ll be happy to walk you through what you both need to do next.