Kids get braces for many different reasons, from social insecurity to dental overcrowding. Many pre-teens and teenagers who have visited their orthodontist in Tarzana ask for braces or aligners that can help them straighten out their teeth. So let’s look at helping your kid adjust to braces.
Helping Your Kid Adjust to Braces
Your job as a parent? Encouraging the best oral healthcare and helping your kid adjust to braces. Our Smiles Specialists pros will give you the best tips to walk your child through the experience of wearing braces over the next couple of years.
Listen to Your Child’s Needs
The best way to encourage the greatest oral healthcare for your child is to listen to their needs. Do they talk about their teeth hurting? Do they feel pressure or pain in the gums? Perhaps there is an issue with dental misalignment that causes them to struggle while eating. No matter the reason, it is important to listen to how your child feels and give them the dental care they need to feel better about their health and their appearance.
Prepare Rewards After Every Visit
Your child may be reluctant to visit the dentist, especially if they are not particularly fond of braces in the first place. But in order to remind them that the orthodontic work will all be worth it, you can offer them a treat as a reward after every visit to the dentist. They will learn to associate the dentist with good things, and this boon to their health will benefit them in the long run.
Turn Up the Excitement
It might be a little challenging getting your kid excited about braces. But there are ways to do it. If your child is under the age of 13, they can have a little more creative freedom with the way they get their braces. They can choose the color of rubber bands that go on each bracket, for example. This will be a way to totally change and customize their mouth every few weeks, giving them something to look forward to.
Tell Your Child What to Expect
Did you know that over 4 million Americans wear braces on an average annual basis? Does your child know that? Being aware of this fact might help them understand that braces are pretty normal and shouldn’t make them feel self-conscious. After they learn what to expect, they will feel less nervous and more excited about the process. You can show them before-and-after photos. This way, they can get an idea of how straight their teeth will be after the braces come off.
Make an early appointment with the dentist so your child can learn what to expect in terms of pain, discomfort, dietary restrictions, and more. There will be certain things your child can’t eat while wearing braces. Be their reminder!
Get a Mouthguard
Does your child participate in sports? Then it is essential that you get them a mouthguard before they get back out on the field. This will not only protect their teeth from serious injury but their braces from significant damage that could cost a fortune to repair. This is a great way to avoid dental trauma and keep your kid on the right track to quick orthodontic recovery.
Schedule Your Child’s First Braces Appointment Today!
Braces are often an exciting experience for kids who are looking to improve the quality of their smiles. As a parent, you are listening to your child’s needs and considering the best course of action to take. Smiles Specialists offers some of the best braces for kids in Tarzana. If you want to learn more about braces and what treatments are best for your child, get in touch with us today! We look forward to helping you and your child form a lifetime of good oral health habits.