5 ways to prepare your child for wearing braces

 

 

 

It’s natural for a child who is about to start orthodontic treatment to be apprehensive. There are likely numerous concerns, from why they need to wear braces, to how painful the treatment will be, or whether they’ll still be able to eat their favourite foods. There will be concerns about what their friends might say and the prospect of being bullied at school for looking different. As a parent, you’ll want to do your best to prepare your child and ease any fears they have. Here are a few tips to help you: 

Discuss Different Treatment Options With Your Child

When it comes to orthodontics, there are plenty of options available. Start by finding out which options are treatment plans are best for your child by speaking to the orthodontist. Metal braces are one of the most common, cost-effective options when it comes to teeth straightening treatments for children and teens. Having an open chat to your child will help them feel involved in the process and understand the benefits of the treatment.

You may also discuss the option of having Invisalign clear braces with your child. Although the cost of Invisalign clear braces is higher than the traditional metal ones, you’ll find that having them has more benefits for your child since it looks better than metal braces. They’ll need fewer visits for correction and alignments, making it more cost-effective. 
 
In less than a year, you can be done with straightening your pearly whites, unlike traditional metal braces that could take as long as two to three years. That’s a massive weight off your child’s shoulders and can bring their confidence and self-esteem faster.

Make Sure They Understand the Process

No one likes going to the dentist, so it is understandable that your child may feel nervous. You can ease some of that anxiety by having an orthodontist explain the procedure in a simple way. It is also important for your child to speak to the orthodontist about follow-up appointments and dental hygiene with braces. 

Stock Up On Softer Foods

Having braces fitted won’t necessarily be painful, but sometimes the pressure the braces put on a child’s teeth can cause discomfort for a few days so ensure you have plenty of soft food around for them. Good options include mashed potatoes, soups, smoothies and yoghurt and ice cream. Cooling foods also have the benefit of soothing sore teeth and gums, especially if the braces start to rub.  

Orthodontic Wax Will Help

Speaking of braces rubbing, it is normal for the brackets to irritate or cause sorts on the inside of the mouth. Speak to the orthodontist about getting some dental was which can be molded around the brackets to prevent irritation through the creation of a protective layer. Along with having a supply at home, get your child to have some with that at school so they can address the issue themselves. 

Keep Them Positive

While a couple of years may not seem like too long for you, for a child it can seem like forever. It is inevitable that they will feel down from time to time, so help to build up your child’s confidence by reminding them of how well things are going and that the braces are just a temporary measure. Remind them that some adults have gone through the process of having braces. The main thing is to try to keep their spirits up and help them stay positive. 

As an adult it can be hard to relate to the fears of a child. While wearing braces might seem like a trivial issue to you, it can be a huge change for a child, so be empathetic and do everything in your power to make the process as painless as possible for your little one. 

 

 

Photo Credit : Quang Nguyen 

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