We see a fair share of children walk to dentists, wide-eyed and worried about how unpleasant braces will be. We know it’s not going to hurt them, but no matter how many times you tell them that, they’re still afraid.
The first step in ensuring that your child does not feel like they are doing everything on their own is to be well-prepared to deal with the lifestyle changes that braces will bring to your household.
A Little Tip: You can make your children watch a cartoon character with braces so they feel the relation of braces in real life.
We have some approaches you can take to make your children aware and prepare for the braces treatment:
Treatment Options Discussion
Many parents do not treat their children as if they have any say in what happens to them. Involving your child in the discussion, on the other hand, makes them feel as if they are a part of the decision-making process, making it easier for them to adjust to wearing braces. Your dentist will advise you on the best option for your child, but your child will also feel as though their opinion was considered in the final selection.
One of the most exciting ways to assist your youngster in getting used to the idea of having braces is to do some internet research on the many types of braces. If you do this, you might learn alongside them, making the orthodontic talk less odd for both of you. Anxiety difficulties, according to Psychology Today, may be aggravated by a fear of the unknown.
Eatables in Braces
The holy grail of braces is soft food. Many parents fear that because their children have braces, they would be confined to smoothies and shakes, but this is not the case. Planning a diet for eating with braces necessitates a change in your cooking style as a parent. According to Hello Motherhood, your child’s mouth will be sensitive for a few days after having braces, therefore soft foods are best for them to eat at this time.
You can’t just go back to what they were eating before after the first few days. Braces are mechanical devices, and eating the wrong foods might permanently damage them. For a youngster with braces, the best options are grains, soft cooked veggies, and soft fruits. Anything that decreases the amount of sugar that could cause problems when wearing braces is a good thing.
Orthodontic Wax
Your youngster may experience some discomfort when he or she first puts on his or her braces. Orthodontic wax is an excellent technique to cope with these conditions. It can be used to make the braces more comfortable to wear by applying it to the sensitive parts of the mouth. The braces or dental wax forms a protective layer that protects the child’s mouth from irritation.
Most dentists and orthodontists supply dental wax to their patients as needed. Keeping it on hand in the house, on the other hand, is an alternative you should explore. It is impossible to tell when a youngster will become inflamed as a result of braces rubbing in places they should not. A home supply will help you deal with this problem anytime it arises.
Keep Things Straightforward for the Child
Your child will very certainly have to change the way they do many things. Children, on the other hand, are resilient. They excel at quickly adapting to unfamiliar environments. Teaching children new flossing techniques or acquiring a fancy electric toothbrush may help motivate them to follow their dentist’s instructions.
Making meals that accommodate their braces is another way to make their lives easier. It would be preferable if you also spend time helping them modify their braces to make them more comfortable. Cleaning teeth while wearing braces may demand some assistance, which is great to become their helping hand. Children love the cartoon character with braces, which is a great way to let them become familiar with the appearance of braces.
Remind Them of the End Result
Braces take around two years to work for the average youngster, according to Kids Health. For grown-ups, two years is a blink of an eye. To a child, two years can feel like an eternity. Braces, on the other hand, are a temporary treatment, and convincing children that they will not be required for the rest of their lives can be soothing. The fact that your child must keep this item in their mouth for an extended period may irritate them. It is beneficial to remind them that great things take time and this will straighten your teeth permanently. Helping them realize the condition isn’t permanent will allow them to relax and tolerate the therapy, even if reluctantly.
