Step into the adventure-filled, brace-laden experience of a school day, reminiscent of an episode from Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide. Creekside Orthodontics has crafted the ultimate Declassified Braces Survival Guide, inspired by Ned Bigby’s ingenious school survival tactics. We’re here to navigate teens through the wire-filled world of braces, offering you the best strategies to tackle everything from cafeteria choices to sports field challenges.
Just as Ned, Moze, and Cookie cleverly conquered their schooling experience, we’ll help you master the highs and lows of your orthodontic journey.
The Braces Care Kit: Your Best Friend
Having the right tools can make all the difference! Just as a well-packed backpack can enhance a student’s experience, a well-stocked braces care kit is essential for navigating the orthodontic world successfully.
Here’s what you should include in your kit to ensure you’re always prepared for any braces-related scenario:
Must Have Items
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Regular dental hygiene becomes even more important when you have braces. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to gently but effectively clean teeth and keep the brackets sparkling.
Interdental Brushes/Floss
Braces create nooks and crannies that can trap food particles. Interdental brushes and floss designed for orthodontic use are crucial for getting into those hard-to-reach areas between the wires and brackets.
Orthodontic Wax
New braces can sometimes irritate the inside of your mouth, leading to sore spots. Applying a small piece of orthodontic wax on protruding wires or brackets can provide a smooth surface and give your mouth some relief.
Lip Balm
Braces can dry out your lips. Keeping lip balm handy is essential for preventing chapped lips and maintaining comfort throughout the day.
Elastics (if applicable)
If your treatment involves elastics, it’s a good idea to always have spare packs with you. These tiny rubber bands can easily be misplaced or break, so having extras will prevent any interruptions in your treatment plan.
Mirror
A compact mirror can be a lifesaver when you need to check your teeth after a meal. It helps ensure that no unsightly food pieces remain stuck in your braces, giving you the confidence to smile widely.
Eating with Braces: The Do’s and Don’ts
Navigating a new world of eating habits with braces can be daunting at first, but with a few guidelines, you can enjoy a varied and satisfying diet without compromising your orthodontic treatment.
Foods to Avoid
These foods are notorious for damaging braces or getting stuck in them – be sure to avoid them while at school!
Hard Foods
Biting into hard foods such as nuts, ice, and hard candies can cause brackets to break or wires to bend. To protect your braces, avoid these foods or find softer alternatives.
Sticky and Chewy Foods
Sticky sweets like caramel or gum can get lodged in your braces and are difficult to remove. Chewy foods like licorice can exert too much force on braces and might pull them away from your teeth.
Sugary Snacks
It’s always important to limit sugary foods, but even more so with braces. Sugar increases the risk of cavities, and it’s harder to keep teeth clean when you have braces.
Recommended Foods
Just because you have braces doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice enjoyable meals!
Soft Fruits
Bananas, grape slices, and berries are great options that require minimal chewing. If you’re craving an apple or a pear, cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Soft-Cooked Vegetables
Steamed vegetables like carrots, spinach, or squash can be a braces-friendly way to get your vitamins and fiber. Avoid raw veggies that require a lot of chewing.
Other Brace-Friendly Snacks
Soft cheeses, yogurt, and scrambled eggs are great choices. You can also indulge in non-chewy treats like smoothies or milkshakes in moderation.
Active Lifestyle Tips
Maintaining an active lifestyle while wearing braces is not only possible but encouraged. Physical activities and sports can be a healthy part of your life, even during orthodontic treatment. At Creekside Orthodontics, we want to ensure that staying active doesn’t compromise the safety of your braces or your oral health.
Wearing a Mouthguard
For athletes or anyone engaging in sports and physical activities, wearing a mouthguard is paramount. Whether you’re playing football, basketball, or even participating in non-contact sports like gymnastics or skateboarding, a mouthguard is your best defense against potential oral injuries. Here’s why:
Protection for Braces
A mouthguard acts as a barrier between your braces and the soft tissue of your mouth, helping to prevent injury and damage to the orthodontic appliances.
Custom-fit Options
Although generic mouthguards are available, consider obtaining a custom-fit mouthguard from your orthodontist. These are designed to fit comfortably over your braces, providing optimal protection without damaging your hardware.
Water: Your Hydration Hero
Staying hydrated is crucial, especially when you’re active. Water isn’t just important for overall health, but also plays a key role in oral health during your orthodontic treatment:
Cleansing
Water helps to rinse away food particles that may become lodged in your braces, reducing the risk of plaque buildup and decalcification.
Sugar-free Hydration
Unlike sugary sports drinks, water provides essential hydration without the risk of added sugars which can lead to cavities and other dental issues.
Additional Tips
To maximize your enjoyment and performance while ensuring your braces stay intact, consider these extra tips:
Routine Checks
Regularly check your braces for any loose parts or discomfort, especially after physical activities. If you notice any issues, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist.
Balanced Diet
Fuel your active body with a nutritious diet that accommodates your braces. Avoid hard and sticky foods that can damage orthodontic devices, and opt for high-energy, brace-friendly foods like smoothies, yogurt, and soft fruits.
Communication is Key
For our younger patients, wearing braces to school presents a unique set of challenges. It’s important to have a conversation with your child about maintaining their orthodontic care throughout the school day.
Oral Hygiene Routine
Emphasize the importance of sticking to their cleaning routine, even at school. This includes brushing after lunch and using interdental brushes if necessary.
Eating Habits
Discuss the types of foods that are safe to eat and those to avoid to prevent damage to the braces.
Dealing with Discomfort
Equip your child with wax to apply over brackets if they cause irritation and pain relievers if allowed by the school and after consulting with your orthodontist.
Navigating the Braces-Clad Terrain of Adolescence
As your schooling odyssey unfolds, with braces as your trusty companion, remember that Creekside Orthodontics is your ally every step of the way. Our Declassified Braces Survival Guide embodies the spirit and savvy of Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, tailored to navigate the braces-clad terrain of adolescence. We’re dedicated to arming you with the best strategies to confidently confront cafeteria conundrums and athletic endeavors alike. The expert at Creekside Orthodontics team is excited to support you every step of the way!