On Posted on March 14, 2024March 14, 2024 by rohit-seo to Orthodontics For Teen Home / Blog / Things to Consider Before Your Children’s Orthodontic Treatment Does your child need braces? Perhaps it’s common for kids to get a bit anxious or curious about orthodontic treatment. But before jumping into it, they should know a few essential things. Here’s a simple guide to understand what to expect before receiving orthodontic treatment for children near you. 1. Understanding Why They Need Braces First, explaining to your child why they need braces is essential. Maybe they have crooked teeth, an overbite, or an underbite. It’s not just about making their smile look better; it’s also about their dental health. Crooked teeth can be harder to clean, leading to problems like cavities and gum disease. So braces are like superheroes for their teeth. 2. The Importance of Good Oral Hygiene Keeping teeth clean becomes even more crucial with braces. Your child should know that they’ll need to brush and floss regularly, maybe even more than before. Food can quickly get stuck in the brackets and wires, leading to plaque buildup and decay if improperly cleaned. So, they’ll need to be diligent about their oral hygiene routine. 3. Initial Discomfort is Normal Getting braces might feel weird at first. The orthodontist near you will attach brackets to their teeth and connect them with wires. This process doesn’t hurt, but it might feel uncomfortable or strange. Also, their mouth might feel sore for a few days afterward as their teeth move. Assure them that this discomfort is regular and temporary. 4. It Takes Time Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a straight smile! Let your child know that orthodontic treatment takes time. They will see results after a while. Getting the desired outcome might take months or even a couple of years. Encourage them to be patient and stay committed to the process. 5. Regular Adjustments Your child will have regular appointments with the orthodontist in Calgary throughout their treatment for adjustments. During these visits, the wires may be tightened or changed, and new bands or wires may be added. Reassure them that these adjustments are necessary to keep their teeth moving in the right direction. 6. Avoid Certain Foods With braces, there are some foods your child should avoid to prevent damage. Sticky candies, popcorn, nuts, and hard or crunchy snacks can all tamper with braces. Encourage them to stick to softer foods and cut fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces to make them easier to eat. 7. Wearing Retainers The journey still continues after the braces come off. Your child might have to wear a retainer to maintain the results. Either you or the orthodontist should explain to them the importance of wearing their retainers. Skipping retainer wear can cause their teeth to shift back to their original positions, undoing all the hard work. 8. It’s Okay to Feel Self-Conscious Some kids might feel self-conscious about having braces, especially at the beginning. Reassure them it’s okay to feel that way and remind them of the end goal—a beautiful, healthy smile. Encourage them to focus on the positive changes to their teeth rather than worrying about what others might think. 9. Regular Dental Checkups Even with braces, regular dental checkups are still important. Let your child know they will still need to visit the dentist for cleanings and checkups. The dentist can monitor their oral health and ensure that everything is progressing as it should be. 10. They’re Not Alone Lastly, remind your child they’re not alone in this journey. Many kids wear braces, and their friends, family, and orthodontists are there to support them every step of the way. Encourage them to ask questions, express their concerns, and lean on their support system when needed. Endnotes Getting braces is a significant milestone in your child’s dental health journey. By helping them understand what to expect and providing support and encouragement along the way, you can help make the experience positive. But for that, ensure you receive professional orthodontics for children in Calgary. Symmetry Orthodontics offers friendly guidance for your child’s orthodontic journey, ensuring they understand the process and feel comfortable at every step. Trust us to make their smile transformation a positive experience. So, arm them with knowledge, boost their confidence, and watch as we transform their smile into something truly magical! PreviousPrevious post:Tips for Keeping Your Invisalign Aligners Clean in Any Situation Recent Posts Things to Consider Before Your Children’s Orthodontic Treatment Tips for Keeping Your Invisalign Aligners Clean in Any Situation Why Are X-rays Necessary for Orthodontic Treatments? Options for Orthodontic Treatment for Adults: Braces and Other Smile Direct Club vs. Invisalign: Which Is Better for You?
Does your child need braces? Perhaps it’s common for kids to get a bit anxious or curious about orthodontic treatment. But before jumping into it, they should know a few essential things. Here’s a simple guide to understand what to expect before receiving orthodontic treatment for children near you. 1. Understanding Why They Need Braces First, explaining to your child why they need braces is essential. Maybe they have crooked teeth, an overbite, or an underbite. It’s not just about making their smile look better; it’s also about their dental health. Crooked teeth can be harder to clean, leading to problems like cavities and gum disease. So braces are like superheroes for their teeth. 2. The Importance of Good Oral Hygiene Keeping teeth clean becomes even more crucial with braces. Your child should know that they’ll need to brush and floss regularly, maybe even more than before. Food can quickly get stuck in the brackets and wires, leading to plaque buildup and decay if improperly cleaned. So, they’ll need to be diligent about their oral hygiene routine. 3. Initial Discomfort is Normal Getting braces might feel weird at first. The orthodontist near you will attach brackets to their teeth and connect them with wires. This process doesn’t hurt, but it might feel uncomfortable or strange. Also, their mouth might feel sore for a few days afterward as their teeth move. Assure them that this discomfort is regular and temporary. 4. It Takes Time Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a straight smile! Let your child know that orthodontic treatment takes time. They will see results after a while. Getting the desired outcome might take months or even a couple of years. Encourage them to be patient and stay committed to the process. 5. Regular Adjustments Your child will have regular appointments with the orthodontist in Calgary throughout their treatment for adjustments. During these visits, the wires may be tightened or changed, and new bands or wires may be added. Reassure them that these adjustments are necessary to keep their teeth moving in the right direction. 6. Avoid Certain Foods With braces, there are some foods your child should avoid to prevent damage. Sticky candies, popcorn, nuts, and hard or crunchy snacks can all tamper with braces. Encourage them to stick to softer foods and cut fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces to make them easier to eat. 7. Wearing Retainers The journey still continues after the braces come off. Your child might have to wear a retainer to maintain the results. Either you or the orthodontist should explain to them the importance of wearing their retainers. Skipping retainer wear can cause their teeth to shift back to their original positions, undoing all the hard work. 8. It’s Okay to Feel Self-Conscious Some kids might feel self-conscious about having braces, especially at the beginning. Reassure them it’s okay to feel that way and remind them of the end goal—a beautiful, healthy smile. Encourage them to focus on the positive changes to their teeth rather than worrying about what others might think. 9. Regular Dental Checkups Even with braces, regular dental checkups are still important. Let your child know they will still need to visit the dentist for cleanings and checkups. The dentist can monitor their oral health and ensure that everything is progressing as it should be. 10. They’re Not Alone Lastly, remind your child they’re not alone in this journey. Many kids wear braces, and their friends, family, and orthodontists are there to support them every step of the way. Encourage them to ask questions, express their concerns, and lean on their support system when needed. Endnotes Getting braces is a significant milestone in your child’s dental health journey. By helping them understand what to expect and providing support and encouragement along the way, you can help make the experience positive. But for that, ensure you receive professional orthodontics for children in Calgary. Symmetry Orthodontics offers friendly guidance for your child’s orthodontic journey, ensuring they understand the process and feel comfortable at every step. Trust us to make their smile transformation a positive experience. So, arm them with knowledge, boost their confidence, and watch as we transform their smile into something truly magical!