Pediatric Dentistry in Yorba Linda – Dental Care Tips from Kids Dental Specialists
Traditional braces help straighten teeth and create healthy, beautiful smiles for children who are dealing with overcrowded teeth, gapping, or other dental irregularities. While braces are a great orthodontic treatment, it can take time to get used to the new brushing and flossing routine that inevitably comes with traditional braces.
Brushing and flossing when you have metal braces on your teeth can make this routine practice difficult. Below you will find some tips to help you and your child through the process.
5 Key Steps
When your child begins their orthodontic treatment, they will find brushing their teeth with braces is much easier if they follow the steps listed below.
- Step 1
When your child is brushing their teeth, they are no longer just brushing their teeth, but the wiring of their braces, as well. This means that if there are any removable parts, such as elastic bands, they should be removed before brushing.
- Step 2
The next step involves actually cleaning the braces themselves. Be sure to brush each wire, get around the metal pins and wires carefully, and even use a dental pick if necessary to remove food debris from between wires and teeth.
- Step 3
Once the braces themselves are clean, your child can brush their teeth. Make sure they take their time and brush in sections, spending about 30 seconds on each section, and at least two full minutes brushing.
- Step 4
Flossing with braces can be tricky. Your child should floss their teeth carefully, using a combination of regular floss and dental picks.
When flossing, they need to be careful not to damage the brackets and wires in their mouth. This means flossing gently, slowly, and one tooth at a time. Additionally, waxed floss will likely be easier to work with than unwaxed.
- Step 5
Inspect your child’s teeth and braces, ask them to rinse their mouth, and make certain there are no remaining food particles left behind.
You may consider investing in a Proxabrush, as these are tiny brushes designed to clean between teeth, similar to floss, and come in various sizes. Additionally, a non-abrasive toothpaste is best to use when wearing braces, and your pediatric dentist may even recommend a specific brand.
In order to help your child take the best care of their teeth when they have braces, you have to make sure they brush thoroughly every morning and night, and avoid certain foods that are hard to clean off teeth. If they brush after every meal, that will also help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. You also need to make sure your child visits the dentist regularly for dental checkups and cleanings.
Pediatric Dental Care Near Yorba Linda and the Surrounding Areas
If you are looking for a dentist that provides pediatric dental cleanings in Yorba Linda, reliable dental care advice, and more pediatric dental services, contact us at Kids Dental Specialists today to set up an appointment.
