When your child gets braces, it’s a new experience for both of you. It can be a little intimidating, but there’s no need to worry! Your orthodontist in Suffolk County, NY will be happy to walk you and your child through what to expect and how to care for the braces. It’s important for your child to be involved in the discussion, because they are going to have to take some responsibility for caring for their oral appliance.
Will They Hurt?
It is possible that your child may feel some discomfort for a day or two after an adjustment has been made. Your orthodontist will likely offer some recommendations to lessen the pain such as eating a soft diet or taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen with an adult’s supervision and according to the instructions on the bottle. If the pain does not get better, contact your orthodontist’s office. They’ll be happy to offer alternative suggestions, or have you come back in if necessary to check things over.
Appointments for adjustments will usually be made every 4-6 weeks, so this may be something that you’ll go through a few times. Once you find something that works, try that method again the next time.
Caring for Teeth
When a child has braces, they will need to be extra vigilant when it comes to brushing their teeth. Food particles can get caught between the wires and teeth. If the food is not cleaned out properly, it can lead to tooth decay. Your Suffolk County, NY orthodontist will review with your child the best way to brush and floss their teeth while wearing braces. They may recommend special toothpaste or brushes to help accomplish this.
Foods Your Orthodontist Wants You to Avoid
It’s not easy to give up food that you enjoy, especially when you are a child, but some foods should be avoided as they can damage braces and set back treatment. The top two food types to avoid are sticky foods like gummy snacks and caramels, and hard foods like pizza crust and hard candies. Large food items like apples should be cut into smaller pieces to make them more manageable to chew.
Your orthodontist and their staff will provide you with information on the caring of braces.
Remember that you can always give them a call if either you or your child has a question.
Getting braces is a big step and the team at Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County I & II would love to take care of your family’s orthodontia and answer any questions you have. Find more information on this Suffolk County, NY orthodontist here:
