Protect the investment in a child's braces

Kerry White Brown

Special to Village News

Braces are a major investment for families. According to a survey by the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, the average price ranges between $5,000 and $6,000.

At costs like those, it’s an investment worth protecting. The road to straight teeth and a nice smile can be a jagged journey – and even more expensive – when a child doesn’t take proper care of their braces. So, it behooves parents to know the do’s and don’ts of braces maintenance and to ensure that their children are doing the right things for the duration of wearing them, which can be two years or more.

The idea is to straighten their teeth, give them a confident smile and allow them to feel better about their appearance, but there are obstacles if proper care and attention aren’t given. To ensure braces do the job for which they’re intended, parents can help their children take optimal care of them with these five tips.

First, brush with power tools. An oscillating electric toothbrush does a thorough job of brushing around the braces and wires to remove food buildup and prevent decay. Brushing will take a little more time and effort, since they now have more surface area to brush around. Ideally, brush after every meal.

Next, floss with purpose. Children can be prone to cutting corners, but parents need to stress the importance of taking the extra time to floss. Flossing aids can help to thread the floss under the wire. Using a Waterpik can help since it’s like using an “electric flosser.” It shoots pulsing jets of water out of its tip to dislodge food particles, especially in hard-to-reach areas. These are excellent aids, but nothing actually replaces flossing. Flossing helps to clean between teeth and helps to prevent decay in those areas.

Also, inspect their work. It’s vital that parents oversee their brushing and flossing until the habits are embedded.

Avoid certain foods. Eating the wrong things may cause wires to break or come out prematurely. Stay away from hard candies and nuts, but usually the challenge with foods is changing the way the patient eats them, specifically hard foods like carrot sticks or apples. Biting hard foods in braces can snap a wire or break the bond, so cut them into bite-size pieces.

Lastly, get regular checkups. Seeing the orthodontist for checkups and adjustments is essential, usually every six to eight weeks during the first year. The orthodontist will check the condition of the braces and other appliances to make sure that they are putting steady pressure on the teeth in order to achieve the desired effect. Regular visits are also important to identify potential problems.

There’s going to be a slight adjustment period for children, and it’s important that parents help them along the way. Otherwise it can turn out to be a wasted investment.

Dr. Kerry White Brown, http://www.whitebrownsmiles.com, is a 5-star rated orthodontist and the author of “A Lifetime of Sensational Smiles: Transforming Lives through Orthodontics.” A graduate of the Howard University College of Dentistry, she operates an orthodontics practice, White Brown Smiles, in South Carolina with six locations. White Brown is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists and the South Carolina Association of Orthodontists.