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I’ve partnered with the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® Program from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. to share our dental hygiene tips.
Good dental hygiene is important at all ages, but especially during the teen and tween years when many children are going through the treatment of straightening their teeth. Since my Maddie and Ashley have both had treatment to straighten their teeth – one with metal braces and the other with clear aligners – we have learned simple tips to keep their teeth clean and looking their best.
Maddie had braces for over three years. That was three, long years of having to be extra careful with her teeth, but it was worth it for the end result of her beautiful smile. Although the first couple weeks were the hardest, we quickly learned some practical tips for managing the braces phase to keep both their teeth and gums clean.
Of course, we want our children to have healthy teeth and bodies, but we also want them to be happy and confident. Good oral hygiene is an important aspect of feeling your best! The most important step in dental hygiene with braces is that you have to have a system in place and the right tools with you at all times.
My first tip is to create a regular routine for your teen morning and night and after each meal, they should brush, floss and use mouthwash as directed. Once a system or routine is in place, it becomes second nature and it is just something they do. This helps everyone as there won’t be as many reminders needed and your teen will be able to see the results of taking care of their teeth right away.
For our daughters’ routine, we have an area set up by their sink with a toothbrush, mouthwash, and floss. I make sure that they always have an extra set of everything too, so that they won’t run out. They know to take care of their teeth and gums first thing in the morning, after eating throughout the day and at night before bed. To them, it isn’t even something they think about much anymore; it is just something they do out of habit.
My oldest has been using LISTERINE® TOTAL CARE ZERO FRESH MINT Anticavity Mouthwash, which is her favorite because it keeps her breath fresh with a mild minty flavor (it’s also alcohol-free). It’s already hard to floss with braces, so she knows she can count on TOTAL CARE to help tackle those hard-to-reach places to help prevent cavities.
I’m sharing the rest of my tips on HEALTHY ESSENTIALS®. Hop on over here to see them all!
How do you help your teen or tween take care of teeth while they have braces?
Remember to keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. Do not swallow. Remember to always read and follow product label, and be sure to ask your doctor if you have any questions
Thank you for sharing these easy and very helpful tips. It is hard to maintain good dental hygiene especially when you have braces. Thank you for spreading the awareness of the importance of maintaining dental health.
I hated brushing my teeth when I had braces. But I had the old fashioned kind made of metal. The new removable plastic ones are so much better!
These are great tips! I haven’t told my son yet, but I am worried he may need braces, so I appreciate the tips!
I wish I read this post when I had my braces. I wore braces for so many years.
I will share these tips to my niece and nephews who are wearing braces. They always tell me their daily struggles with eating and brushing their teeth. I think these tips that you shared will help them. Thanks!
I had metal braces when I was younger and as tough as they can be to take care of, they are totally worth it in the end. Thank goodness for products like Listerine to help with staying on top of dental hygiene for those with braces!
Both our daughters wear braces. We found that utilizing a SoniCare toothbrush helps a TON!
As someone who never had braces, I think these tips are still great. Setting a routine — and following it — is really important.
These are great tips. Taking care of teeth is really hard when you have braces. Those things trap so much debris, and you have to be super vigilant about it.
My daughter has braces and like you mentioned it was very hard in the beginning. I agree with your tips and each one is beneficial to treating your teeth. My daughter made sure to find a daily routine that was good for her and it paid off very well. I was glad to see she implemented every tip and much more in her routine, after all those braces can hold so much garbage in your teeth!