Bad Breath and Braces: Ways to Ensure Your Teen's Breath Stays Fresh
by Lillian Dixon
Bad breath, is an unfortunate but all-too-common side effect of wearing braces. With all that equipment in the mouth, a breeding ground is created for bacteria, which in turn causes breath that is far from pleasant. If your teen has become self-conscious due to their bad breath, or you've noticed that it's become a lot more unpleasant since wearing braces, consider some of the following tips to help your teen gain fresh breath once more.
Encourage brushing
This one sounds obvious, but teens tend to have a lot going on in their day and may not always remember to give their teeth a good brush. Whether bad breath is already a problem or not, while wearing braces your teen should be brushing his or her teeth even more than usual, ideally after every meal. Bacteria tends to breed on the gums, the tongue and the top of the mouth as well, so make sure your teen is brushing all those areas, as well as any brackets and in between the wires and the teeth to remove any food particles that may be caught there.
If your teen is resistant to brushing so often, remind them of why it is important; bacteria not only causes bad breath, it also leads to tooth decay.
Provide equipment for on the go
There are many things your teen can carry around that will help keep bad breath at bay; toothpicks and dental flosser sticks are excellent to have on hand to use after any meals or snacks, and can be used discreetly. With the right equipment, your teen can be sure to remove any food particles that may have become trapped between the braces and the teeth, ensuring his or her breath will stay as fresh as possible.
Another great tool for fighting bad breath is the interdental toothbrush. These are tiny toothbrushes that look like pipe cleaners; because of their size, they are able to get into places that regular toothbrushes can't, such as between the teeth and the wires, and can be carried throughout the day for use when needed.
Buy a quality mouthwash
To ensure that bad breath doesn't become a problem, buy a mouthwash with anti-microbial or anti-bacterial properties. This will help kill the bacteria and, if used in conjunction with good brushing and flossing, will guarantee that your teen has fresh breath that lasts all day long.
For more information, talk to an orthodontist.
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About Me
As a mum, I know how essential sport can be to children's development. Through team sports like soccer, kids learn persistence, sportsmanship and the value of supporting their team members. However, all that learning carries some risk as well, and a stray elbow or a ball to the face can result in oral injuries. I have been the mum rushing to the emergency room with a precious permanent tooth sitting in a cup of milk. Admittedly, at the time, I wasn't even sure if the cup of milk was the right solution. As a parent, you will face those situations, and I'm here to make sure you know what to do when they pop up. With this blog, let's explore children's dentistry and sports injuries together... I want you to have the info you need to stay cool, calm and collected, regardless of how many teeth are on the pitch.