Brooklyn summers mean freedom for kids, except when it comes to skipping brushing! From sunny days at Prospect Park to block parties in Bensonhurst, this season brings all kinds of sticky, sweet, and snack-heavy moments that can leave braces working overtime. That’s where Dr. Mizrahi and the Mizrahi Orthodontics team step in with smart, doable tips to keep smiles clean and care on track. Next, let’s take a look at what makes oral hygiene a little trickier when braces enter the picture.
Braces and Brooklyn Bites
Summer snacks in Brooklyn are a vibe: chewy sweets from Economy Candy, frozen slushies from the bodega, and anything deep-fried at Smorgasburg. But if your kid’s wearing braces, not every treat plays nice with brackets and wires.
Skip the snacks that love to stick around (literally):
- Sticky taffy or sour belts
- Caramel popcorn or churros
- Crunchy chips or hard pretzels
Instead, steer them toward options that are easier on their gear:
- Soft pretzels
- Cold fruit smoothies
- Mac and cheese cups from a local deli
- Ice cream (without mix-ins that crunch or stick)
No one wants to spend a sunny afternoon flossing out a jawbreaker. The right snack swaps can keep smiles and brackets intact.
Coming up next: how to keep brushing and flossing on track when summer schedules get a little loose.
Routines Without the Rigid Schedule
Late mornings, spontaneous park days, and sleepovers at a friend’s place can all throw off a good brushing streak. But keeping up with oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is non-negotiable, especially with LightForce clear braces, which rely on consistency to do their job.
Here are a few ways families can keep things on track without stressing:
- Tie brushing to anchor points. No school? No problem. Link brushing to daily events like mealtimes, leaving the house, or Netflix wind-downs.
- Create a summer bathroom caddy. Fill it with flossers, orthodontic wax, a timer, and travel toothbrushes. Easy access equals better habits.
- Make it visual. Teens respond well to progress trackers or even whiteboards with weekly goals.
Dr. Mizrahi has seen firsthand how good habits make treatment smoother. Next, let’s talk about how Invisalign patients can keep trays clean (and not lost) on the go.
Don’t Let Aligners Go AWOL
Clear aligners like Invisalign are a popular choice for Brooklyn teens and tweens, but they only work if they stay put (and stay clean). Mizrahi Orthodontics has seen more than a few aligners vanish during a picnic or get tossed with a napkin after dinner.
Wrap, Rinse, Repeat
Before every meal, aligners should come out and be rinsed with cool water. But don’t just toss them on a tray; always use a case.
Scrub It Like You Mean It
Aligners aren’t self-cleaning. A soft-bristled toothbrush (not the one used for teeth) and gentle soap go a long way toward keeping things fresh. Skip the hot water, though; it can warp the plastic.
Set a Reminder
A quick phone alarm or the My Invisalign app keeps things on schedule, so nothing stalls out.
Next, we’ll check out the perks of staying on top of all this effort and how Mizrahi Orthodontics keeps things moving without pausing your summer.
Fast Track Without the Stress
Orthodontic care doesn’t have to feel like a long-haul commute on the Q. When your kid’s routine stays on track (even during a loose summer schedule), treatment can move along more quickly and with fewer surprises.
Small Habits, Big Impact
Keeping braces or aligners in good shape helps avoid delays. When teeth stay clean and appliances stay intact, you reduce the chances of extra visits or unexpected setbacks.
- Broken brackets = longer treatment
- Missed cleanings = plaque buildup that slows everything down
- Skipped aligner wear = trays that don’t fit and progress that stalls
Tools That Keep Things Moving
Mizrahi Orthodontics uses high-tech tools like iTero scanners, Montage Boards, and LG Create Boards to catch even the smallest changes early. That means fewer surprises and more confidence that everything’s still on track.
Flexible Options for Brooklyn Families
With Damon Ultima brackets, ceramic braces, and custom metal options in the mix, Dr. Mizrahi helps families choose a path that makes the most sense for their schedule.
Next up, let’s take a look at how the Mizrahi Orthodontics office helps good habits stick and makes check-ins feel easier than ever.
The Space That Makes It Simple
Consistency starts with comfort, and that’s something Mizrahi Orthodontics has down to a science! From the moment families walk through the doors, our space makes staying on track simple (even when summer chaos hits).
The layout is wide open and welcoming, so there’s no squeezing into crowded corners or juggling backpacks and strollers.
Game room perks give kids something to look forward to, which makes keeping appointments a little easier.
Free WiFi and charging stations keep everyone powered up, whether it’s homework, texting, or a quick Netflix scroll between adjustments.
With a high-tech setup and a team that makes things easy to understand, parents leave feeling informed, and kids leave feeling like pros.
Next up, let’s close out with what to do when things don’t go exactly as planned and how Mizrahi Orthodontics helps keep small setbacks from turning into big problems.
What Happens If They Slip Up?
We know summer’s unpredictable—and let’s be honest, so are kids! If an aligner gets tossed with a napkin or a bracket pops after an overenthusiastic bite of a bagel, don’t panic. Mizrahi Orthodontics can help get things back on track without derailing progress.
A lost aligner? Give the office a call to see if it’s time to move to the next tray or request a replacement.
A loose wire or poking bracket? It might be a quick fix at home, or something that calls for a visit.
Either way, you’re never on your own!
Smiles That Can Handle Summer
No matter where summer takes you and your family, now you’ve got the tips to keep your kids’ teeth clean during orthodontic treatment. Our Brooklyn-based team at Mizrahi Orthodontics gets that real life doesn’t run on a timer, so they’ve built care that keeps up. Book your consultation with Dr. Mizrahi today and give your kid a smile that handles Brooklyn summers like a pro!
