"Small adjustments like that can make a surprising difference...though convincing kids to use straws consistently can sometimes be another story entirely."
Haha, you're spot on about the straw thing—getting my nephews to stick with it consistently was a bit of a challenge. I did notice, though, when I had braces, drinking soda or juice through a straw definitely helped reduce staining around the brackets. The orthodontist explained that it minimized direct exposure, and honestly, I saw a noticeable improvement. Still, convincing kids to cooperate...yeah, easier said than done.
I totally get the braces thing—when I had mine, I was always paranoid about staining or damaging them somehow. Straws definitely helped, but honestly, I was still anxious every time I drank something colorful. I remember my dentist suggesting rinsing with water right after drinking soda or juice if I couldn't brush immediately. It seemed like a small thing, but it actually made me feel a bit less worried about stains setting in. Maybe that's something your nephews could handle more easily than always remembering a straw? Kids can be unpredictable though, haha...sometimes they'll surprise you and cooperate when you least expect it.
Totally relate to the anxiety about staining braces—I just got mine a few weeks ago and I'm already paranoid about drinking anything besides water. My dentist also suggested rinsing right after, but honestly, I still worry that won't be enough. I've started carrying a mini bottle of mouthwash in my bag, just in case. Maybe that's overkill, but it helps ease my mind a bit...though kids might find that annoying to keep track of, haha.
I totally get why you'd feel anxious about staining—braces aren't exactly cheap, and keeping them clean can feel stressful at first. Carrying mouthwash isn't overkill at all...it's actually pretty smart. Personally, I found that rinsing thoroughly with plain water right after meals or drinks helped a lot, even without mouthwash. After a while, you'll probably relax about it—I know I did. You're doing great so far, and trust me, it'll become second nature soon enough.
I remember feeling exactly the same way when I first got braces—constantly worrying about stains and obsessively checking after every meal. Honestly, the mouthwash idea is pretty clever; wish I'd thought of that sooner. For me, though, what really helped was getting one of those tiny interdental brushes. They're super handy for quick clean-ups on the go, especially after coffee or tomato sauce (my worst enemies...). Eventually, it just became routine, and I stopped stressing so much about it. You're definitely on the right track!
