After a fun and eventful summer, it’s time to go back to school! We know you are looking forward to reconnecting with all the friends you haven’t seen in a few months, but if you got braces over the summer, you might be worried about what they think. Will they make fun of your appearance? Will you accidentally talk to your crush with a piece of food stuck in your braces? Don’t worry; it’s normal to have concerns like this, but you don’t have to let them control your social life.

The team at ZDental has some tips to help you approach your first school year wearing braces with confidence!

Know That You Aren’t the Only One

About 80% of American teens wear braces, and about 3.5 million young people get them every year. If this is your first school year with braces, just remember that you aren’t alone. There are probably dozens or maybe even hundreds of others at your school going through the same thing. You don’t have to be embarrassed about your braces; think of it as joining a special club, one whose members will all have perfect smiles by the time they graduate!

Pack a Braces Supply Kit

Keeping your braces clean is an important part of caring for your teeth and gums, and that doesn’t end when the school bell rings. We suggest putting together a small “survival kit” to help you keep your braces clean throughout the day. This kit can include dental floss or floss picks, extra rubber bands, dental wax, and a small mirror. After you eat lunch or snacks, you can excuse yourself to the bathroom and ensure you don’t have any food particles lingering in your braces to avoid embarrassing moments when socializing with your friends.

Bring a Water Bottle

Staying hydrated throughout the school day will help you feel better and have more energy while you learn. It’s also a great way to keep your braces clean. Bring a water bottle with you to school and keep it filled between classes. You can swish the water in your mouth anytime you need a quick cleaning, and keeping your mouth hydrated will prevent irritation from your metal brackets.

Get a Mouth Guard from Your Orthodontist

If you have physical education scheduled this semester or play sports, you may be concerned about damaging your braces or cutting your mouth during contact with other students. Getting a custom-fitted mouthguard will give you more confidence, so your braces won’t affect your athletic prowess!

Metal Braces and Invisalign in New Jersey

More and more kids are getting braces, so if you haven’t considered it yet, it’s time to talk to your parents about getting the perfect smile! The ZDental team can answer any questions you may have about traditional metal braces or Invisalign clear aligners at our Trenton dentist office or any of our 7 locations in New Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia area. Discuss it with your parents and tell them to call us right away to schedule an appointment. The smile of your dreams could be just a year or two away. 

The time to get started with ZDental is now!