Fall is almost here!  Temperatures will soon start leveling off (perhaps a bit later than usual in Austin, TX), team sports are underway, and the kiddos will be heading back to school very soon!  At RJ Orthodontics in Austin’s Steiner Ranch, we want to offer some helpful orthodontics and braces tips for kids as they start their journey into a new year of school.

Brushing: Make sure your child follows the 2×2 brushing rule. This means brushing for 2 minutes, 2 times each day. By keeping their mouth and teeth clean, your child can have quicker appointments and healthier teeth. Make sure you pack a brushing kit in your child’s backpack, so they can brush after lunch.

Hydration: Water is the secret ingredient that keeps your body hydrated and mouth clean from decay and cavities. Make sure your child takes a bottle of water to school every day and avoids sugary drinks.

Elastics: Rubber bands play an important role in helping move your child’s teeth to their desired position. Make sure your child keeps an extra pack of elastics in their backpack and even in their lockers. Not wearing elastics could prolong treatment times.

Eating Smart: A balanced diet is needed for the brain to function optimally and also helps keep your braces in good condition. Your child should avoid foods that are hard, sticky or crunchy.  These foods can damage the wires and brackets used in braces. This damage can cause discomfort and lengthen treatment times. For breakfast, we recommend fruit smoothies, yogurt and eggs.  For main dishes, look for soft cooked vegetables and starches including spaghetti, macaroni & cheese and lean cuts of soft meats. For snacks, your child can enjoy soft fruits such as bananas which are high in potassium and fiber which promotes heart and bone health. Other suitable fruits include cut up apples or pears which your child can chew with their back teeth.  Biting into hard fruits can cause damage to braces.  If your child is wearing Invisalign, then there are not many food restrictions since the aligners can be removed while eating. Just make sure that they thoroughly brush their teeth after every meal and keep their aligners clean as well.

Good luck in the 2018 – 2019 school year and remember to properly care for your teeth and braces every day! Contact RJ Orthodontics in Austin Texas with any questions or to schedule an initial complimentary consultation.