Back-to-School Tips for Kids With Braces

A new school year means getting back into routines, from early mornings and packed lunches to sports practices and after-school activities. If your child has braces, a little extra planning can help them protect their smile and feel more comfortable throughout the school day.

Back to School With Braces: 5 Tips for Kids and Parents

Heading back to school with braces doesn't have to be complicated. These simple tips can help your child care for their braces at school and keep their orthodontic treatment on track.

1. Pack Braces-Friendly Lunches and Snacks

Knowing what you can and can't eat with braces is especially important when packing school lunches. Hard, sticky, and chewy foods can damage brackets and wires, so kids with braces should avoid foods like popcorn, gum, hard candy, nuts, and chewy bagels.

Instead, pack softer options that are easier on braces, such as yogurt, pasta, soft sandwiches, bananas, applesauce, and cheese. If you're packing fruits or vegetables like apples and carrots, cutting them into small, bite-sized pieces can make them easier to eat without putting too much pressure on braces.

2. Keep a Braces Care Kit in Their Backpack

A small braces kit can come in handy when your child is away from home all day. Consider packing a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, floss or orthodontic flossers, orthodontic wax, and a small mirror.

Encourage your child to check their braces after lunch and brush when possible. Keeping teeth and braces clean helps remove food that can get caught around brackets and wires and supports healthy teeth and gums throughout treatment.

3. Make a Plan for School Sports

Yes, kids can still play sports with braces! If your child participates in contact sports or activities where they could be hit in the mouth, they'll need to take a few extra precautions.

A protective mouthguard can help protect their teeth, lips, cheeks, and braces while they're playing. If you're not sure which type of mouthguard is right for your child, talk to our orthodontic team before the season gets underway.

4. Know What to Do if Something Happens to Their Braces

A loose bracket or poking wire can be uncomfortable, especially when your child is in the middle of the school day. Make sure they know that they should tell you if something feels loose, broken, or painful rather than trying to fix it themselves.

Orthodontic wax can provide temporary relief if a wire or bracket is irritating the inside of their mouth. If there's a problem with their braces, contact our office so we can let you know what to do next.

5. Stay on Top of Their Orthodontic Routine

The start of a new school year can make family schedules busy quickly. Between classes, homework, sports, clubs, and other activities, it's easy for orthodontic care to fall out of the usual routine.

Help your child stay consistent with brushing, flossing, and any other instructions from their orthodontist. Keeping up with scheduled orthodontic appointments is also important for making sure their treatment continues moving in the right direction.

Keep Your Child's Smile on Track This School Year

With braces-friendly foods, good cleaning habits, the right protection for sports, and a little preparation, your child can head back to school feeling confident about caring for their braces. Building these habits into their school-year routine can also help keep their orthodontic treatment on track.

If your child needs braces or ongoing braces care in the Rochester, NY area, our team at Get It Straight Orthodontics is here to help. With convenient locations in Rochester, Pittsford, and Macedon, NY, we make it easier for families to fit orthodontic care into their schedules. Book a consultation today and help your child start the school year with a healthy, confident smile.