During Orthodontic Treatment in Tulsa OK, youngsters wear braces that bring their teeth into proper alignment. At times they may find that food has become stuck in the braces when they aren’t home and can’t brush their teeth. What are some methods that will help get the food out of the brackets and wires?
Swishing Water in the Mouth
The easiest way to dislodge food particles without a brush is to swish water around the teeth. If the child is at school, spitting into a water fountain is probably considered unacceptable. The best strategy is to get a drink and head to a bathroom where the water can be spit into a sink. In the future, drinking water with meals or snacks will help prevent the problem from happening during Orthodontic Treatment in Tulsa OK.
Using Dental Picks and Toothpicks
If food sticking in the braces turns out to be an ongoing problem, it may be worthwhile for the parents to buy some dental picks or toothpicks that can be used to dislodge the food particles. Dental picks can be purchased in the dental product section of retail stores. They have a small brush on one end and a plastic pick on the other.
Dental picks and toothpicks should be used with a gentle motion, as it’s essential not to break the device and have the end get stuck in the braces. At the next appointment at a clinic such as Kid’s Dental, the child or parents should feel free to ask the dentist for any other suggestions.
Checking the Smile
Kids who know they have this ongoing problem may want to sneak off to the bathroom after eating so they can check their smile in a mirror. If that’s not possible, they might ask someone they trust to tell them if they need to remove some food particles. Otherwise, they may spend several hours with food stuck in the braces and risk being teased by other youngsters. Many children and teenagers feel at least a little embarrassed about having to wear orthodontic gear in the first place, so minimizing any problems will maintain their self-confidence. You can also connect them on Facebook.
