Yeah, I’ve basically accepted that my shirt’s getting wet at least half the time. I tried using a towel as a shield but then just ended up with a soggy towel too... Not sure if it’s my technique or just physics being rude. Still, nothing beats that super-clean feeling, even if I have to change shirts after.
Does anyone else worry about whether their kid is actually getting everything clean with braces? I feel like I’m constantly hovering, making sure they brush long enough and use all the little tools. But then it turns into a whole production—water everywhere, toothpaste on the mirror, sometimes tears if we’re running late. Is this just our routine, or do other parents have to basically supervise every cleaning session too?
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think a little independence goes a long way—even with braces. I had braces as a teen and my parents hovered at first, but eventually they backed off and let me figure it out (with some reminders, sure). I made mistakes, missed a few spots, but after getting a not-so-great report from the orthodontist once or twice, I started taking it more seriously. Sometimes the only way kids really learn is by being responsible for their own teeth—even if it means dealing with the consequences here and there.
Hovering every single time just made things stressful for everyone in our house. I’d say pick your battles. Maybe supervise once a day or do random checks instead of turning every brushing session into an ordeal. It’s messy and imperfect, but that’s kind of how kids learn anything new. And honestly, orthodontists can usually spot if things are going off track before it gets too bad.
Honestly, I’m with you on the “pick your battles” thing. Hovering over every brush session just turns it into a power struggle, and nobody wins there. When I had braces, my mom tried to micromanage at first, but after a while she just let me do my thing (with the occasional “did you floss?” thrown in). I definitely learned more from getting called out by the orthodontist than from her nagging. Sometimes you gotta let kids mess up a little to get the point. Teeth survive a few missed spots, promise.