If your child is about to embark on the new adventure of getting braces, it’s up to you as a parent to make sure they’re ready for it. Thankfully, you can help them get ready in several ways:
Taking A Selfie
One fun way to prepare your child for getting braces is to snap a selfie of them before they get braces and during treatment. This way you can enjoy remembering their smile and have a way to remember the journey. If your child is slated to have braces for at least a couple of years, taking photos is a great way to show the passage of that time.
Answer Questions
If your child is getting braces, chances are favorable that they have a lot of questions. They might wonder how long they have to wear the braces. They might wonder if braces hurt. They might wonder why they have to get them at all. They might wonder what kind of braces they are going to get. When they have questions, you as a parent should have answers. This helps explain things to them very easily and helps them understand the importance of what they’re doing.
You could explain, for example, that nearly 70% of adults aged 35-44 are missing a permanent tooth due to tooth decay, gum disease, or an accident. You can then explain why, by getting braces, your child is vastly improving their oral health and helping to prevent things like tooth decay.
Explain The Benefits
One of the best things you can do is explain to your child exactly why they’re getting braces and how those braces are going to help them in the future. Explain to them that the time to put in now will be really worth it when they have a great new smile and straightened teeth. Recent surveys have indicated that 80% of Americans in the 18-49 age bracket want whiter teeth. By getting braces now, your child is well on his or her way to having whiter teeth because braces will straighten them and make them easier to clean.
If they’re on the fence about it, you can explain that it will save them from having numerous tooth issues as an adult. Adults with tooth issues may have to miss time at work and apply for workers’ comp — an industry that grew by 0.8% in the U.S. between 2015 and 2020.
Stock Up On Food
Wearing braces can benefit your child’s health in numerous ways, but there are foods they won’t be able to eat when they have braces. One thing you can do to help them is to stock up on soft foods they can eat. Filling your pantry and refrigerator with things like soup, rice, pasta, ice cream, and yogurt, will help your child adjust during their treatment and make the braces feel like less of a burden.
Celebrate
Getting braces is important for your child’s health, but it also marks an important day in their lives. On the day that they’re going to get braces, you can mark the occasion by cooking their favorite breakfast. You can also make sure that they clean their teeth prior to their orthodontist visit, and you might even make the day more memorable by planning a fun activity after the visit is over.
Be There To Help Them
Perhaps the best thing you can do for your child after they get braces is to be there for them and support them. Yes, braces will help your child’s oral health, but they may take some getting used to and your child may become frustrated as they adapt to the braces. By explaining the health benefits, and being patient, you can help your child adjust to having braces and really embrace the importance of having them and what it will mean for the future.
