Survival Guide for Kids with Braces

It’s estimated that 60% of American kids – about 3.5 million — begin Orthodontic treatment each year.

Dr. Andrew Chase of ARCH Orthodontics, with 9 offices from Boston to Cape Cod, knows why: “A healthy, beautiful smile is one of the building blocks of self-esteem and self-confidence. Whether a child needs braces because their teeth are crooked, crowded, or have too much space between them, or because they have an overbite, underbite, or another type of malocclusion, it’s best to treat issues during these formative years. “Sometimes school gets in the way,” he smiles. He understands his audience. Since the practice was founded 43 years ago by his father, Dr. Robert Chavez, ARCH has treated over 25,000 patients. Dr. Chase joined the practice in 1998.

Dr. Chase suggests items to keep in the backpack to help young braces patients ‘survive’ the school year:

• Wax –Keeps your cheeks and tongue scrape-free.
• Extra rubber bands — If you use them, carry extras for after lunch or snacks.
• Travel toothbrush and toothpaste (see ‘Rule of 5’s’ below)
• Proxobrushes — Helps get all the food out of your braces.
• Mouth guard: If you’re playing sports, this protects your hardware and teeth.

ARCH Orthodontics has devised the ‘Rule of 5’s’ to guide braces patients of any age:

1. There are 5 places to brush: (1) where the teeth meet the gum lines, in toward the gums; (2) under the wire; (3) on top of the wire; (4) on top of the teeth; (5) in back of the teeth.
2. There are 5 times during the day to brush: when you wake up, after breakfast, after lunch or after school, after dinner, and before bed.  (And if you snack, after that, too!)
3. Spend 5 minutes brushing each time you brush.
4. At the end of the day, spend an additional 5 minutes to floss and use fluoride rinse.

Dr. Chase also emphasizes the importance of wearing one’s retainer as prescribed, and avoiding hard, sticky and chewy foods. He says the most common ages for Orthodontic treatment to begin for girls is usually 10-14 and for boys, it’s ages 11-15. The first checkup is advised no later than age 7.

ARCH, the Official Orthodontist of Miss Massachusetts and its Scholarship Foundation, offers free consultations (a $500 value) and no-interest financing. Courtesy discounts are available to members of the military and their families, as well as to veterans. For more info, call 1-800-28- SMILE, email smilemaker@archorthodontics.com , or visit www.archorthodontics.com.