When your child gets braces, some things in their life are going to change, and you can help them through those changes. It is important that you make sure that you are managing those changes well. Then, with your child, you can come up with solutions that help them to feel comfortable while keeping them healthy and maintaining their smile.
Dental Hygiene
The way that your children will need to take care of their teeth is going to change when they have braces on. Braces can make it more difficult to do some of the simple oral healthcare tasks your child probably already does by habit. This means that they will need to take time to relearn how to take care of their teeth. Flossing, for example, can be especially difficult with braces on, and you might need to come up with a new method for cleaning between their teeth. Your child will also need more dental appointments while they have braces to make sure everything is working correctly.
Their Diet
The foods your child can and cannot eat will also change when they have braces. Kids need to eat soft foods after getting braces. Your child will also need to make sure that they aren’t eating foods that are too sticky since this can lead to problems with braces being pulled out, or damaged. Other foods like corn on the cob will be impossible for your child to eat. Take time to accommodate their needs, so your kid can still enjoy a variety of great foods while protecting their oral health and their braces themselves.
Their Confidence
Your child may feel less confident when they have braces placed because it will change the way they look to themselves and to others. It is important that you help your child to feel comfortable with this change in appearance. Everyone lacks confidence sometimes, and that’s okay. But you still need to help your kid to know that they are valuable and that they have a lot to offer to the people around them. The way they look is just one aspect of their personhood. And braces don’t have as much of an effect on their appearance as your child may think.
Getting braces can be a big change for kids, so it is important that they have your support along the way. When your child knows you are on their side, they will be much more able to take care of themselves. This will help you both to feel better and have positive experiences while dealing with the process of having braces.
Check out this article on why you need to take your child to the dentist!
