5 tips for going back to school with braces. The start of a new school year is a big deal, whether you’re a student, teacher, or administrator. Going back to school with braces makes this transition an even bigger deal since it affects your comfort level and how you look, eat, and sometimes how you speak. Here are tips to make the change seamless and easy.
1. Carry a Braces Kit
Always have a braces kit with you in your backpack or desk. It should contain all the necessary cleaning tools for a quick brush or floss after lunch – toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, dental floss – as well as extra rubber bands and orthodontic wax should you have an uncomfortable wire making itself known at an inconvenient time.
2. Keep Your Invisalign Case at the Ready
You should only have to remove your Invisalign or Invisalign Teen trays once during a typical school day – to eat lunch. Be sure to have your Invisalign case handy so you can stash the trays safely during the meal. The last thing you want to do is stuff the aligners in a napkin and accidentally throw them away. And you definitely don’t want to eat with the trays in place because this could break or stain the trays.
3. Pack a Braces-Friendly Lunch
Newer orthodontic patients are getting used to the feeling of metal braces and learning how to live with food restrictions. Not every hot lunch meal may be braces-friendly, so be prepared to pack lunches that are easy on the teeth. The go-to chips, carrot sticks, fruit snacks, or other chewy or crunchy foods are no longer the best choices. Bite-sized pieces are easier to pop in the mouth, and make good use of healthy, filling, easy-to-eat foods like yogurt and applesauce.
4. Make a Water Bottle Your Sidekick
Juice, soda, and any drinks besides water aren’t great for your teeth in general, but especially if you have braces. Sugary drinks can stain the teeth and sometimes cause white spots. Having a water bottle handy is not only good for your health, but it helps keep food particles from sticking to hardware and teeth so everything stays as clean as possible, especially if there isn’t a convenient opportunity to brush and floss after a snack or meal.
5. Get a Customized Mouthguard
Have a student athlete in the house? If they wear braces too, you’ll want to talk to your orthodontist about getting a customized mouthguard to protect their brackets and wires from damage as well as keep their mouth safe from injury during practices, games, and even P.E. class.
Going back to school is an exciting time, and braces can make it all the more interesting. If you’re a new orthodontic patient and still getting used to the idea of wearing brackets, wires, or trays on your teeth, there will be an adjustment period when school starts too, but Lawrenceville Orthodontics is here to support you through every part of your journey. Contact us to schedule your consultation with Dr. Roberts or Dr. de Marsche and find out what braces might be right for you or your child.