A new school year brings new teachers, busy schedules, sports practices and plenty of school pictures. If your child has braces, clear aligners, an expander or another orthodontic appliance, a little preparation can make the transition back to school much easier.
At Parker Wentz Orthodontics, we want students throughout Lubbock, Seminole and the surrounding West Texas communities to feel confident about their smiles and prepared to care for their orthodontic appliances throughout the school day.
Pack a Back-to-School Braces Kit
Students receiving orthodontic treatment with braces should keep a small care kit in their backpack or locker. Consider including:
- A travel toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- Orthodontic wax
- Dental floss or orthodontic flossers
- A small mirror
- Extra elastics, if prescribed
- An aligner or retainer case
- Lip balm
Having these supplies nearby makes it easier to clean after lunch, replace elastics and manage minor irritation without disrupting the school day.
Choose Braces-Friendly Lunches and Snacks
Students with braces should avoid foods that are very hard, sticky or chewy because they can loosen brackets and damage wires. Apples and carrots can still be enjoyed when cut into small pieces.
Good school lunch options include:
- Soft sandwiches
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Pasta
- Soft fruit
- Applesauce
- Eggs
- Tender meats cut into small pieces
Try to limit sticky candy, chewing gum, popcorn, hard chips, ice and foods that require biting directly with the front teeth.
Remember Clear Aligners at Lunchtime
Students wearing clear aligners should remove them before eating or drinking anything other than water. Aligners should always be placed in their case—never wrapped in a napkin, where they can easily be thrown away.
After eating, students should brush their teeth before replacing their aligners whenever possible. Most aligner patients need to wear their aligners approximately 22 hours each day, according to their individual instructions, so it is important to put them back in promptly after lunch.
Protect Your Smile During School Sports
Students participating in football, basketball, volleyball, soccer or other contact sports should use an appropriate mouthguard. A properly selected mouthguard can help protect the teeth, lips and orthodontic appliances.
Because a child’s teeth continue moving during orthodontic treatment, families should ask our team which mouthguard is appropriate for their child’s current appliance and stage of treatment.
Plan Orthodontic Appointments Around School
The beginning of the school year becomes busy quickly. Scheduling orthodontic visits in advance makes it easier to find appointment times that work with classes, practices and other activities.
If an appliance becomes loose, damaged or uncomfortable, contact our office rather than waiting until the next scheduled visit. Our team can determine whether it should be addressed immediately or can safely wait.
Is It Time for Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit?
The start of a new school year is also a good opportunity to evaluate your child’s dental development. Early evaluations can help identify concerns with crowding, jaw growth, crossbites, tooth eruption and other developing orthodontic problems.
Learn more about early orthodontic treatment and how an evaluation can help determine whether your child needs treatment now or simply needs to be monitored as they grow.
Start the School Year With Confidence
Orthodontic treatment should not prevent students from enjoying lunch, playing sports or participating fully in school. With the right supplies and a simple routine, caring for braces or aligners can become a normal part of the school day.
Parker Wentz Orthodontics provides personalized orthodontic care for children, teenagers and adults in Lubbock and Seminole, Texas. We offer braces, clear aligners, early orthodontic treatment, expanders and airway-focused orthodontic evaluations.
Schedule your free orthodontic exam today and let us help your family begin the school year with a healthy, confident smile.