From their first day of kindergarten to their first day of high school, the goal is always the same: to set your child up for success in the classroom. If they recently started orthodontic treatment, then you might be wondering if there is anything you should do differently. The answer is “yes!” Keep reading to learn six back-to-school tips for teens with SureSmile.
1. Pack Soft, Nutrient-Dense Foods in Their Lunch
As a parent, you want your child’s lunch to be delicious, nutrient-dense, and easy to put together. Since their teeth will feel sore from time to time, it’s important to add another factor: soft. Plain yogurt, overnight oats, cooked vegetables, and applesauce have proven to be favorites!
2. Create an On-the-Go Oral Hygiene Kit
To reduce their risk of cavities during their teeth-straightening journey, your teenager needs to brush their teeth after each meal and snack. This task is much easier if they have everything they need in their backpack or car, including a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Bonus tip: Keep chewies, a clear aligner removal tool, and dental wax in the kit too!
3. Encourage Them to Hydrate
Dry mouth can lead to cavities, and cavities can lead to treatment plan delays. For that reason, we encourage patients to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water throughout the day. So, if your teen doesn’t have one already, consider buying them a reusable water bottle that they can use all semester long.
4. Make Sure They Have a Case for Their Aligners
The last thing you want is for your child to lose or break one of their aligners, right? Then make sure they don’t adopt bad habits, like placing their aligners in a napkin or leaving them on their plate. Instead, they should rinse them with clear, cool water and store them in their designated case.
5. Have a Custom Mouthguard Made
Is your teenager on their school’s football, soccer, or wrestling team? Maybe they prefer to stay active with solo activities, like skateboarding or rollerblading. Either way, they should wear a mouthguard. That way, their teeth and their gums are protected if they collide with another player or fall.
6. Schedule Their Biannual Dental Visit
Remember, oral health problems can develop even if your child brushes and flosses consistently. That’s why it’s important that they visit their dentist every six months! It’s a good idea to schedule this routine appointment during back-to-school season, before their schedule gets too hectic.
About the Practice
If you reside in or around Lacey, and you’re interested in a metal-free journey to a straight smile, then there’s no better time to contact our team at Peterson & Cammack Family & Cosmetic Dentistry! We’re proud to offer our patients SureSmile, which is a discreet, comfortable, and effective orthodontic treatment. To learn more about it, schedule a consultation with us via our website or by phone at (360) 459-4420.