Posted on 08/31/2019
At Olson Orthodontics, we're proud to help patients throughout Litchfield Park, Buckeye, and Verrado, AZ achieve beautiful, healthy smiles through orthodontic treatment. Many of our adolescent orthodontic patients choose to get start braces treatment over summer, as this provides ample opportunity to get used to life with braces without the busyness of the school year. But school will start up soon enough, and if you're getting ready to head back to school with braces, we're here to offer a few tips to make the transition easier.
Adjusting to School with Braces
Readjusting to the routine of the school year with braces can take some getting used to, but with a little bit of preparation, it should be no trouble at all. If you're preparing to start a new school year and have recently started treatment with braces, here are our recommendations for making the process as smooth as possible:- Bring a Braces Care Kit : One of the most helpful things to have is a "braces care kit" that contains everything you need to care for your braces. Include a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, dental wax, an interdental toothbrush, extra elastics, and anything else you use to care for your braces, and store it either in your locker or in your backpack.
- Talk To Your Teachers : Another great tip is to inform your teachers of your new orthodontics and explain that caring for them can be slightly time-consuming, particularly for classes right after recess or lunch when you'll likely need to brush your teeth. If your teachers are aware of this, they'll likely be more understanding if you arrive a minute or two late due to your new oral hygiene regimen.
- Beware the Cafeteria : You'll need to be very careful to avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods while wearing braces, and unfortunately, many school cafeteria meals will be off-limits to you. Take time to familiarize yourself with the foods you'll need to avoid, and make sure to skip any cafeteria dishes that might pose a risk to your braces.