It seems as if just yesterday we were wishing our patients a happy summer! But, as with most enjoyable things, time flies when you’re having fun—meaning the time has come to head back to school for another year filled with studying, clubs, activities, friendships, and goals!

To make sure our braces-wearing patients have a fantastic school year while on their journey to a beautiful smile, we’ve put together some hacks—tips—that are sure to make this school year with braces the very best yet! 

A Backpack Kit

Because most schools in Laredo have done away with school lockers, backpacks have become the child’s portable locker. It’s the place he or she keeps all the essential items needed to get them through their day. So, with this in mind, plan to add a small kit that’ll include some basic items that’ll come in handy after eating breakfast, lunch, or a snack while on campus. Some of the more important things to include are: 

• Toothbrush, Toothpaste and Floss: These are essential in removing any food that remains stuck on the brackets and wires after eating.

• Dental Wax: Some dental wax will certainly ease any irritation to the inner lips, gums and cheeks that are being caused by the braces.

• Chapstick or Lip Balm: With so many brands to choose from—tinted, flavored, unflavored—packing one or two will provide relief when lips become dry or cracked.

• Straw: Using a straw when drinking beverages will help avoid staining on the teeth that could occur with dark-colored drinks, such as colas or tea (which should be avoided anyways due to high sugar content!)

• Small Mirror: Keeping a small mirror in the kit allows students to check their teeth after eating or snacking. Ideally, brushing and flossing after each meal is best, but sometimes finding a nearby sink is difficult. In this case, having a mirror handy helps in removing any food particles stuck in brackets and wires, which promotes healthy gums by decreasing bacteria and plaque that begins to form on teeth when food remains for long periods of time. 

Why Water is So Important

With Laredo’s heat, drinking plenty of water throughout the day is a sure way of staying hydrated and healthy. But did you know water plays another essential role for braces wearing patients? It helps in removing small particles of food that may be stuck in between wires and brackets. It’s an easy way to resolve this issue without needing to find a nearby sick to brush and floss. Furthermore, when given the option of drinking water over sugary drinks, we always encourage water—or at least clear drinks—to avoid cavities, white spots around the brackets, and the potential of staining. As mentioned above, sugary drinks tend to find their way in between brackets that when removed, may leave permanent stains or white spots on teeth. If dark-colored drinks are the only beverage available—don’t worry! Just remind your child that the straw inside their handy kit will take care of that issue. 

Choose Braces-Friendly Foods

In most cases, favorite foods of braces-wearing patients fall on the list of foods to avoid. Reason being, they’re either crunchy, chewy, or very sticky, and therefore have the potential to damage the wires and brackets of braces. The good news is that its only temporary. As soon as braces come off, patients can binge and enjoy any foods they wish. But while the braces are on, it’s very important to opt for foods and snacks that are braces-friendly.

So, what are braces-friendly foods? It’s simple: anything that is soft and easy to chew, including well cooked vegetables, soft fruits, pasta, baked fish, chicken and lean cuts of meat. For desserts and snacks, ice cream, yogurt, and Jell-O are all good options, along with a slice of cake or pie.



Foods to avoid include most fried items, crunchy vegetables such as carrots, and chips. For entrees requiring a person to bite into, such as pizza, hamburgers, and sandwiches, it’s best to pre-cut them into small bite-sized pieces. Not only will this save the brackets and wires from damage or breaking, but also eliminate food from remaining upfront.

Some good news is that often school districts post their daily breakfast and lunch menus online, as is the case here in Laredo. Parents of students attending public schools can use this information to their advantage by checking their school district’s website to see what’s being served that day. If the menu includes foods that are not braces-friendly, then packing a lunchbox with appropriate foods will be best that day. 

The Benefits of Using a Mouthguard

While it may be difficult to convince a braces-wearing child to wear a mouth-guard, they truly are a lifesaver for student athletes—even kids participating in daily gym activities. Mouth-guards by design are meant to be worn over braces. When constructed of quality materials, they not only decrease the chance of damage to the wires and brackets, but also minimize any injuries that could come from hits to the mouth, gums, or cheeks. By wearing a mouth-guard, students are not only protecting these sensitive areas, but also eliminating a trip back to the Smile Shoppe for repairs or replacements of damaged wires or brackets.

If you’re interested in purchasing a good mouth-guard for your braces-wearing student, please do not hesitate to ask us for a recommendation on finding one of good quality. 

The Smile Shoppe is Here for You

With school now underway, if you’re feeling a bit nervous about your child and their new braces, rest assured, you are not alone. This is completely normal, and we understand. We ask that you continue encouraging your child and reassuring them that their journey with braces is only temporary and the outcome of a beautiful set of healthy straight teeth will truly outweigh the journey’s path.



If you have further questions that have not been addressed in this blog, we welcome your call to our clinic. We want to make sure your child is comfortable during their time with braces.

Finally, on behalf of everyone here at the Smile Shoppe, we wish all our patients a safe and healthy school year, and above else—keep smiling!