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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Braces, really worried 😭

8 replies

elaineburnett · 30/05/2019 10:08

Daughter has had twin block braces for over a year to correct her bite and has since had train track braces about 8 weeks now. I stupidly did not oversee her teeth cleaning when she first had them put on and when we went to ortho 10 days ago he said they were really bad (as in not cleaned properly) so for last 10 days l have been sitting with her directing her cleaning. We went for her normal check up yesterday and he said she had signs of gum problem and he has scaled her teeth. He said if things didn't improve the ortho would just remove her braces! I am absolutely sick with worry about her teeth. I have anxiety as it is but this has tipped my anxiety over the edge 😭😭😭

OP posts:
Drum2018 · 30/05/2019 10:13

Bring her to a hygienist for a proper clean. They will go over the proper process for cleaning while braces are still on. She'll need superfloss, possibly tepe brush as well as toothbrush. What age is she? If teen then she really should be able to manage her cleaning once she's shown how.

elaineburnett · 30/05/2019 10:23

She's just 12. Since l have stepped in she is making progress. I am just terrified something bad will happen to them. The dentist was very off. I wasnt offered time for her with the hygienist and am in a permanent state of anxiety now

OP posts:
RagingWhoreBag · 30/05/2019 10:25

Have you shown her photos of kids who have had braces taken off and haven’t cleaned them properly? That was enough to scare my two into brushing properly!!

The orthodontist told them that if they didn’t brush properly they’d ruin the enamel, showed them photos of what that looks like, and said that wasn’t fixable, so they’ve both been very disciplined at brushing for 4 minutes each time and using the tiny brush to get in between the brackets.

DD (12) has also taken responsibility for cleaning her blocks twice a week without any prompting, which is lucky as I know I’d forget, (but she’s the one wearing them all day so she has a constant reminder!)

By the time they’re old enough for braces they really should be responsible enough to care for them (barring any SN of course) so this isn’t on you to feel guilty, your DD is old enough to take responsibility for her own oral hygiene.

Get her a timer, a good mirror in the light/by the window and some disclosing tablets (mine were given all of those as part of their first appointment, so if your DD wasn't it might be worth talking to the orthodontist about offering this - it did cost, like £10-15 I think, but had everything they need in a little pencil case )

And make sure she has an electric toothbrush (Superdrug own brand one gets very good reviews and is much cheaper than other makes) and one of the little pointy toothbrushes for getting behind the braces. Having the right tools for the job will help.

bluebell34567 · 30/05/2019 10:28

why they havent offered time with hygienist? can you push or find somewhere else?
at the mean time keep her away from fruit juice, sweets, etc.
does she use mouthwash? alcohol free one.

Drum2018 · 30/05/2019 12:46

If there isn't a hygienist at your practice then find another one and get an appointment asap. If there is one at your practice then ask for an appointment. You don't need to be offered. Not sure if you are getting braces free. One of mine did and hygienist was part and parcel of the treatment. The other was through private orthodontist and I paid for hygienist visit. It's worth it to get them to learn the correct way and then you can stand over her for a week or so to make sure she's getting into every space with the floss etc.

dementedpixie · 30/05/2019 12:49

Dd uses an electric toothbrush and small interdental brushes

Lara53 · 01/06/2019 16:39

Get a hygienist appointment ASAP and speak to them before humans to really lay it on thick with her re cleaning teeth properly. As others said an electric tooth brush plus interdental brushes, floss and mouthwash - sit and watch/ time her when doing it if it’s the only way. I still have to ‘watch’ my 12 yr old as he can’t be bothered to do it properly - no braces!

Nemesia1264 · 01/06/2019 17:10

Google 'modified bass technique' & make sure she does this technique while watching herself in the bathroom mirror.
Buy some disclosing tablets and make your DD chew one after she reckons she's brushed her teeth. The residual plaque will show up very plainly with the disclosing tablets. You may have to buy a small headed children's toothbrush and go over them yourself (at least at bedtime) until her Oral hygiene improves.
Reassure her the gum bleeding will stop within a few days of using the above technique.
TePe use with fixed appliances: are for dislodging food immediately after meals. Don't brush your teeth after a meal (with brush &paste) for at least 45 mins- to do with acid levels in the mouth.
You won't be able to use floss with fixed orthodontics.
Mouthwashing / rinsing with anything including water, is not advised immediately after toothbrushing. You are effectively washing the fluoride protection from the t/paste straight down the plug hole. Either do it a completely different time of day or don't bother.
The correct mechanical action of toothbrushing is the key to improvement here. Good luck

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