Wearing braces and going to school are a great duo. Getting organized, paying attention to the time, caring for your own needs – these are all things that happen as kids grow. Add braces to the mix and they fit right into these parameters. There is a daily responsibility and an obligation for braces-wearers, and the rules of wearing braces or Invisalign Teen fit right into the rules of being in school.

Accept the Circumstances

Your teen might not want braces, they may not love having brackets on their teeth or a metal mouth, but there is no escaping life with braces during adolescence for many kids. Because the treatment typically takes a year to two years to complete, school and braces will go hand-in-hand for a while. Getting used to the combo early and accepting that braces are part of existence will make life simpler and easier for new patients. Encourage your teen to appreciate the privilege of working toward a healthy, straight smile.

Pack Multiple Braces Kits

There are all sorts of supplies that students need to be well-prepared for the school year ahead. For braces-wearers, that includes a dental kit so they can always tend to their teeth and hardware throughout the day. Ideally, one braces kit will live in your student’s backpack and another in their locker so they’re never without the items they need, including:

• Dental floss
• Dental picks
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Dental wax
• Case (for Invisalign Teen)

Make Some Food Changes

Wearers of Invisalign Teen can remove their trays for meals and enjoy all the foods they love without restrictions. Patients with brackets and wires on their teeth, however, will have limitations. Certain foods are off limits because they could damage the hardware. Plus their teeth will be sensitive from the pressure of the braces – make an effort to serve your teen nutritious soft foods that will be easy to eat.

Keep a Water Bottle Handy

Schedules can be tight in middle school and high school. Having enough time to make it to the lavatory and brush your teeth between lunch and the next period isn’t always easy. At the very least, have your water bottle handy so you can rinse off your teeth and braces (or Invisalign Teen trays), swish your mouth out, and then do a thorough brushing and flossing as soon as possible. This small effort will at least eliminate some tiny food particles before they cause trouble.

Invest in a Sports Mouthguard

Braces don’t get in the way of any extracurricular activities, whether your child plays sports, plays an instrument, or does theatre. But for the high-impact activities – particularly athletics – it’s essential to have a sports mouthguard to keep braces and teeth safe from impact. Any hit to the mouth or jaw can wreck all the progress that’s already been made while wearing braces. This is a worthwhile investment that will also give your teen the confidence to play their heart out without worrying about their braces.

Get all the tips you need about helping your teen manage their braces in school from Philadelphia Orthodontists in Center City. Schedule an appointment with Drs. Roberts & de Marsche.