How to Get Your Child Ready for Braces

How to Get Your Child Ready for Braces

Getting braces is a big transition for children and teenagers. Adjusting to new habits, rules about what you can and cannot eat, and being concerned about what your friends or classmates might say can be difficult. Braces, on the other hand, are not the end of the world; rather, they are the beginning of a brighter one that awaits with a beautiful smile. Here are some tips to help your child get ready for braces:

Discuss your options with them

As a parent, you may have questions about treatment options with your orthodontist, but your child may have many more. Making a list of questions for the orthodontist is a great way to involve them. When there are fewer unanswered questions, there is less anxiety and worry.

Describe the treatment procedure with them

It’s understandable that your child is worried about the big day. While braces application takes time, it is a simple procedure. Talking about the steps ahead of time with your child can put them at ease. The brackets are first glued on, and then the connecting wire and elastic bands are wrapped around them. Your child can even select the band’s colors!

Foods that are soft are the best.

For the first few days, your child’s teeth will most likely be sore. Hard or crunchy foods should be avoided! Soft or liquid foods, such as pasta, mashed potatoes, and soup, are ideal. Colder foods, such as yogurt and ice cream, are also beneficial because the cold sensation helps to relieve pain.

Help them change their cleaning habits

Brushing and flossing are more difficult with braces. Food loves to hide in any small space it can find, so maintaining good cleaning habits is critical. A good place to start is with an electric toothbrush, and there are special brushes that can reach underneath the wires and brackets. Floss picks can also be used to reach back teeth that are difficult to reach and to protect fingers from wires or brackets.

Orthodontic wax can be your friend!

Lip irritation or sores are frequently caused by brackets. Back teeth wires poking into the cheeks or lips is another common issue. Orthodontic wax (also known as braces wax) is a short-term fix. Simply roll the wax between your fingers (it’s very soft) and apply it to anything that is rubbing or poking. Your orthodontist will usually provide it for free.

Concentrate on the positive outcome

Braces can be painful for your child, but they can also make him or her self-conscious. Remind them that the vast majority of their classmates wear, have worn, or will wear braces at some point in their lives if they tease or mock them. For your child, wearing braces for a year or two may seem interminable, and he or she may become impatient with them. Encourage them to think about how much better their teeth will look once their braces are removed. Braces are only for a short time; a beautiful smile lasts forever.

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