The best day for children treating their misalignment with braces is when it finally comes off. After months of orthodontic visits, flossing past wires, and striking a balance with favourite cuisines, the reward results in a bright smile.
But parents, here’s the aftermath of having braces, which nobody tells you about!
Having regular care post-treatment is as essential as the treatment itself. And to help you with the essential tips for after braces care for children, this guide will walk you through smart hacks to maintain a healthy smile, along with expert Pediatric orthodontic advice on preferred intakes, post-braces, and much more.
Why is After Care for Braces More Important than You Realise?
When your child’s braces come off, it’s exciting, but the journey doesn’t end there. After braces, care is the unsung hero of a bright smile. Without post-treatment supervision, all your efforts, time, and investment can go in vain and cause your tooth structure to move back into its old position.
The reason for this is simple: once your child’s braces have been removed, they need enough time to settle into their new position. Thus, aftercare ensures that everything heals and sets nicely.
5 Essential After Braces Care for Children
Post-orthodontic treatment after braces care for children is vital. To assist your child in keeping a healthy and lovely smile, we have compiled 5 simple tips that extend beyond conventional advice, one of which may surprise you.
Tip 1. Wear Retainer As Directed By Orthodontist
Retainers are the MVPS of post-brace treatment. Regardless of whether your kid had metal braces or clear aligners, a retainer prevents newly aligned teeth from moving out of alignment.
Common Types of Retainers:
- Removable Retainers: Simple to remove for eating and brushing. They are best suited for older, responsible kids who will not misplace them. Retainers must be worn full time initially for at least 6-9 months and then at night for a lifetime, as teeth are susceptible to slight relapse due to constant bony changes in our bodies.
- Fixed Retainers: Bonded to the back of the teeth. They are also a good option for certain individuals who cannot wear their removable retainers full time and need that extra sense of security.
Retainer Care Tips:
- Brush daily with water and a toothbrush; don’t use hot water, as this will distort the shape.
- Always keep your child’s retainers in a protective case when not in use.
- Stick to your orthodontist’s schedule, and visit them once every 3 months.
Note: If your child has worn aligners, they’re probably already used to retainer care.
Tips 2. Appropriate Oral Hygiene is Essential
Having braces for children removed makes brushing and flossing a lot easier for them. However, if oral hygiene is not done regularly, plaque development around freshly uncovered tooth surfaces may cause cavities or gum issues.
However, there are a few smart oral hygiene tips for children to follow and brush their teeth accurately.
- Brush teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day
- Floss once a day to eliminate food and plaque between teeth
- Rinse using a fluoride or antimicrobial mouthwash for additional protection
- Schedule professional cleanings every 6 months
Tip 3. Schedule A Follow-Up Visit With Your General Dentist
Some teeth develop white chalky areas around the braces due to poor oral hygiene when in treatment, which are hypomineralized enamel. These areas are more susceptible to cavities. Gums are also swollen in some patients in braces. Post-orthodontic oral hygiene and follow-up with a general dentist is paramount to regain the oral health to its optimum.
If there is any restorative work that was planned during your orthodontic care, like a crown, cosmetic bonding, veneers, or implants, your retainers will not fit after that. It is important to schedule a visit back to your orthodontist to get a new set of retainers to prevent relapse.
Tip 4. Avoid Consuming Hard and Sticky Foods
Since your teeth require sufficient time to settle down, the best idea is to cut down or replace foods that will support your speedy recovery.
- Soft fruits such as bananas, kiwi, and berries
- Steamed vegetables
- Dairy products like yoghurt and cheese
- Soft foods such as oatmeal and rice
Foods to Limit:
Apart from preferred food intake, there are a few food supplements that may cause sensitivity to your tooth structure. Below, we have mentioned a list of foods to avoid for some time post-braces.
- Crunchy, tough foods such as chips, raw carrots, or crusty bread
- Stick candies that can pull on retainers in case of fixed retainers
- Sugar drinks or acidic drinks, including soft drinks and acidic fruit juices, which soften the enamel.
Healthy eating ensures healthy gums and healthy teeth. Although it also indicates the success of any orthodontic treatment, e.g., braces, after tooth extraction.
Tip 5. Make Frequent Appointments with the Orthodontist
Your orthodontist advises you to watch for any changes and prevent small dental issues from becoming large problems.
If you lose your retainer, do not wait too long to get back to your orthodontist to get a new set of retainers. It only takes 2-4 weeks for teeth to begin to relapse. In case you do notice your teeth shifting, contact your orthodontist sooner rather than later. Smaller relapses can be fixed faster.
At Art of Smile – Centre for Cosmetic Orthodontics in Philadelphia, we recommend regular post-treatment checkups to keep your child’s smile aligned and healthy long-term.
Braces & Tooth Extraction: Essential Aftercare Tips for Kids
If your child was treated with braces after tooth extraction, there are additional tips for parents and children to follow.
But before moving forward, a parent needs to know that tooth extraction is only done to create room for alignment. More cluttered tooth structures require dental professionals to remove overlapping teeth or oversized teeth to create room for alignment.
Special Care Tips:
- Ensure that retainers are worn as prescribed to keep the spaces from dislocating.
- Observe areas where teeth have been removed, gum and bone may still adjust.
- Maintaining hygiene and flossing near old extraction sites is essential to prevent gum problems.
How to Inspire Your Children Following Braces?
Kids are more apt to stick with routines if they feel included in the process and supported.
- Let them pick the colour of their retainer case
- Turn cleaning routines into a fun chart or checklist
- Check off milestones, not just when braces come off, but when retainers are worn daily or dental visits are a success
Conclusion
The real magic happens after the braces, and with the right dental care, your child’s smile will last a lifetime. Aftercare for braces is not optional; it’s what makes all the labour, time, and expense worthwhile.
Regardless of whether your child had traditional braces, braces after Invisalign, or a follow-up after extractions, ongoing care will keep their smile bright and aligned.
Make an appointment at Art of Smile – Centre for Cosmetic Orthodontics in Philadelphia. Our experienced orthodontist “kanchi Shah (BDS, DDS)” offers personalized & affordable aftercare plans to ensure your child’s smile stays confident and healthy for years to come!
