The relaxing days of summer are wrapping up, and it’s time to gear up for an exciting new school year!
Your friends here at Fritz & Wilson Orthodontics will help you and your child transition smoothly back to the classroom during orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners.
Let’s dive into the best braces tips and Spark™/in-house aligners tips to make this school year a breeze:
Getting Started: Braces and Clea Aligners Tips for Beginners
Starting treatment with braces or Spark/in-house aligners can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! You have a whole team supporting you here in Holly Springs.
Here are some essential braces tips for the first day and clear aligner tips that you and your child can review to set them up for success this school year:
- Wear clear aligners through the school day: If you’re wondering, “do I wear my clear aligners at school?” the answer is a resounding YES! To ensure that clear aligner treatment is effective and treatment length doesn’t need to be extended, your child should wear their aligners for 20-22 hours a day. Only remove them for eating, drinking (anything other than water), and brushing your teeth.
- Protect your braces during meals: For kids wearing braces, it’s important to avoid sticky, hard, or chewy foods that can damage the brackets or wires. Make sure to pack braces-friendly snacks like soft fruits, cheese, and yogurt. Remind your child to steer clear of chewing gum or crunching on ice!
- Don’t put your aligners on your lunch tray or in a napkin! Carrying your clear aligner case with you (especially during lunchtime) is a must. Any time you take your aligners or removable retainers out, store them securely in their case to avoid accidentally throwing them away in your napkin or on your lunch tray! This happens more often than you may think!
- Make a school care kit: It’s a good idea to carry a small kit with an interdental brush to clean between teeth, a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste, orthodontic wax for braces, and a mirror. Ideally, you can stop by the bathroom on your way back from lunch to give your teeth a quick brushing, rinse out your aligners or clean around your braces, then pop them back in or head back to class rockin a fresh, dazzling smile!
Tips for Removing Clear Aligners and Caring for Braces
Because clear aligners are custom-designed to fit snugly around your teeth, it can take a little technique to remove them.
Here are some helpful tips for removing clear aligners:
- Start from the back: Gently use your fingertips to lift the aligners off the molars first. Once the back is loose, gradually work your way forward.
- Use an aligner hook: An aligner removal tool can make it really easy to hook your aligners and take them out. You can find these on Amazon for under $10!
- Take your time: No need to rush! Carefully removing aligners will help prevent bending or breaking them.
Braces require careful handling too! Here are top tips for braces care at school:
- Use orthodontic wax: If your braces are causing discomfort by rubbing against your cheeks or gums, apply orthodontic wax to the brackets or wires to create a smooth layer of protection between your brackets and cheeks.
- Or try Orajel™ if that’s better suited for you! Orajel is a numbing solution that you can apply to any areas around your mouth that may be rubbing against your braces. Simply wash your hands, squeeze a little Orajel on to your finger, then rub it on any tender areas.
Braces and Clear Aligner Tips for Eating at School
Lunchtime just got a whole lot easier with these braces tips and tricks, and clear aligner tips for eating:
- Remove before munching: For those with clear aligners, always take out aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water to prevent staining and damage. For those with braces, stick to braces-friendly foods and be cautious with crunchy or sticky snacks.
- Rinse and repeat: After eating, a quick rinse of both your mouth and aligners or a gentle brushing around your braces keeps your smile fresh and ready to go. Ideally, you can brush your teeth too!
Braces and Clear Aligner Cleaning Tips
Clean aligners and well-maintained braces = happy teeth and faster results! Here are some cleaning tips to keep those aligners sparkling and braces in top shape:
- Clean your appliances when you clean your teeth: Whether it’s your clear aligners or your braces, be sure to brush your teeth and clean your orthodontic appliances every morning and night. For clear aligners, use a soft toothbrush and clear, unscented soap. For braces, focus on brushing gently yet thoroughly around the brackets and wires.
- Let clear aligners soak: With clear aligners, you can use Invisalign™ cleaning crystals or a retainer cleaner for a daily soak. This keeps bacteria at bay and keeps your aligners fresh. You can find RetainerBrite on Amazon! For braces wearers, regular brushing and flossing are key, and using an antiseptic mouthwash can help maintain oral hygiene.
- Keep it cool: Hot water can warp aligners, so always use lukewarm or cool water for cleaning. For braces, be sure to brush gently around the brackets to avoid damage.
Customize Your Smile with Invisalign Stickables™ or Braces Colors
Want to add a splash of personality to your orthodontic journey? Check out Invisalign Stickables™, or customize your braces with colorful elastics! Express your style through your smile.
- Invisalign Stickables for clear aligners: With a variety of colorful shapes, animals, emojis, holiday-themes, and more, these clear aligners stickers can create a look that’s totally your own. They’re easy to apply and remove, making it fun and simple to change up your style whenever you want.
- Custom Braces Colors: For those with braces, choosing different colored elastics can be a fun way to showcase your personality. Whether you want to match your school colors, celebrate a holiday, or just pick your favorite shades, colorful braces can make orthodontic treatment more exciting. You’ll get to choose new braces colors each time your orthodontist replaces your wires.
Go Back to School Smiling!
Beginning the school year with braces or clear aligners is exciting! We hope these braces tips and tricks and clear aligner tips make your school year a little easier and your child’s smile a lot brighter. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead—study hard, make new friends, and keep smiling!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Not sure whether your child needs orthodontic treatment? Request a complimentary consultation with Dr. Fritz or Dr. Wilson, our highly-experienced children’s orthodontists in Holly Springs!