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Having a 12 year old, it was only a matter of time until the year of the braces reared its ugly head. Some friends started the braces process much earlier (orthos call it phase one), some even in Kindergarten, but we held off until phase one and two meshed together into the usual two-plus year process. So here we are, after a six-month stint with a palate expander, fully entrenched in the colorful (rubberband) life of braces. A few kids went the Invisalign route — something I’m experiencing myself currently and don’t wish on my worst enemies — but most parents chose fixed braces since they didn’t want to foot the already astronomical bill for lost appliances.
Apart from the first two days of immense pain, so far everything has been OK — but the cleaning process is a big adjustment. Braces require so much more maintenance since everything gets stuck. Since we have braces AND the palate expander, it’s even worse. Every mom I’ve spoken to had different advice to share, so I went straight to the professionals for their most valuable dental hygiene tips, along with personal product recommendations from SheKnows and my own experience.
Why is dental hygiene so important for tweens and teens?
“Tweens and teenagers typically experience big hormonal changes, and this can really impact the health of their gums. Alongside this, they are often undergoing orthodontic treatment. For this age range, I would certainly recommend a fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash, but what works amazingly well is a water flosser, as it is a much easier way for teenagers to floss when they are undergoing orthodontic treatment.
“Having your tweens and teenagers see their hygienist regularly is really important to ensure they understand the importance of a good diet and oral care routine for long-term health. This is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood, and encouraging teens to take ownership and responsibility of their oral health is important.”
What is the best way to keep teeth clean during braces?
“When you have any form of orthodontic treatment, your risk of getting a cavity or gum disease is increased. It’s really important to ensure that you are not eating too frequently, not eating too much sugar and ensuring that your teeth are exceptionally clean.”
Pro tip: For anyone with fixed braces, I recommend a water flosser cleaning your teeth every time you eat and seeing your hygienist every three months.
Are whitening products safe for teens?
“Generally, we recommend patients be at least 16 years old, but those under the age of 18 should check with their dentist.”
Should all tweens and teens use mouthwash? How and when?
“I’m a big fan of non-alcohol-based fluoride mouthwashes, but timing is everything. Using a mouthwash after brushing is pointless; in fact, you are probably just rinsing away the protective ingredients that are in your toothpaste.”
Pro tip: I recommend using a mouthwash in the middle of the day, ideally after lunch, to give an extra boost of remineralization.
What are the best appliances for good dental hygiene?
“I love a water flosser for anyone with more complicated dental issues like implants, bridges, impacted wisdom teeth or orthodontic treatment.”
Pro tip: I recommend a sonic toothbrush to basically everyone. It’s a smarter way to brush, being more controlled and gentler on your gums. It’s not easy to brush properly, but using a sonic toothbrush makes a huge difference clinically.
Best dental products to recommend overall?
“While I hate the environmental impact, I love floss picks. I keep some in my bag, in my car, everywhere! I do like a tongue scraper, or brushing your tongue, as this can be one of the biggest causes of bad breath. For toothpaste, I love a combination of fluoride and hydroxyapatite. When used together they work amazingly well to reduce early enamel erosion and prevent cavities.”
Pro tip: Brush your tongue, it’s a big help for bad breath!
How bad is snacking for teens?
“I frequently visit schools to talk about the importance of oral health and its connection to the entire body. During my school visits, there is one common trend I have noticed. The students all have snacks with them at all times. A bag of Takis or Hot Cheetos is usually the snack of choice. But, when you eat these snacks, they tend to make you thirsty. Let’s just say water is the last thing I have noticed the students drinking. It’s often times a sugary drink like a Mountain Dew Code Red or a Sprite. In dentistry we have a saying: ‘“Sip all day, get decay.’”
Pro tip: When you choose to have a sugary drink, you should consume it all in one sitting versus sipping on a sugary drink all day.
“The solution is to eat/drink your sugary or carb loaded snacks in one sitting and rinse with water. Why water? Water has a neutral pH and it helps your saliva to balance out the acids in the mouth. Rinsing with water after consuming snacks is important to help neutralize the acids and flush some of the food that is stuck to the teeth.”
Pro tip: Rinse with water after snacks!
When is the most important time to brush your teeth?
“Right before you go to bed! You should floss first, rinse with water or a mouthwash, spit into the sink and look at all the food that came out from in between your teeth. The last thing you do is grab your toothbrush and brush your teeth for 2 minutes.”
Pro tip: When you finish brushing your teeth, spit out the toothpaste but do not rinse your mouth. Go to sleep with the toothpaste on your teeth. This allows the fluoride or nano hydroxyapatite (non fluoride based toothpastes have this) to sit on the teeth longer to help remineralize and repair/protect the teeth.
How important is oral health for tweens and teens?
“The last of our baby teeth are lost in the tween age. This is a great opportunity to start building strong flossing and brushing habits. For teens, with hormones raging, it’s common to see gum inflammation (or gingivitis) at this age. While the important work of tooth alignment is being done, teeth are at a bit higher risk of developing tooth decay. It’s thus especially critical to keep teeth (and the areas in between) sparkling clean.”
What tips can you share for tweens?
“Around age 12, we grow in our second molars. That’s 4 new teeth we never had before, and ones that we want to keep our whole lives. Take note of these new teeth that are farther back in your mouth, and be sure to keep them clean.”
What tips can you share for teens?
“Keep the flossing and brushing regimen fun with unique flavor experiences.”
Pro tip: To maintain clean, fresh breath, be sure to keep your tongue clean, too! Use a toothbrush or simple tongue scraper as often as once a day.
Is Invisalign a good option for teens?
“I love the Invisalign product, and will gladly recommend it over braces whenever possible. It’s much easier to keep teeth clean and tooth decay-free in Invisalign vs. regular bracket-and-wire braces. That said, depending on the type of tooth movement and arch development needed, Invisalign alone may not be sufficient in achieving optimal results. Sometimes a combination, or traditional “fixed” orthodontic therapy may work better.”
Are teeth whitening products safe for teens with braces?
“If you’re in Invisalign, you can use peroxide-based whitening gel in your Invisalign trays to whiten your teeth quickly and efficiently, albeit with some temporary tooth sensitivity expected.”
Pro tip: If you’re in fixed (metal or ceramic) braces, it’s best to hold off on whitening until after the braces are removed.
Should all tweens and teens use mouthwash?
“Mouthwash is especially helpful for those experiencing dry mouth. More important than mouthwash, however, is maintaining a daily flossing routine and brushing at least two times per day.”
Before you go, shop our favorite skincare brands for teens:
