Many children need to wear braces. In some cases, this type of orthodontic treatment is needed for cosmetic reasons, such as to correct alignment issues, while in other cases braces are required to fix bite issues or to deal with tooth spacing. If your child needs braces, he or she may be nervous or apprehensive about the process. As a parent, there are things that you can do to calm your child and help him or her get ready for braces. Use the following tips to help your child prepare to have braces put on:
Discuss the Process
One of the reasons that many children are nervous about getting braces is because they do not know what to expect. An easy way to get around this is to discuss the process with your child and let him or her know what will happen. Let your child know that getting fitted for braces involves having brackets attached to the surface of the teeth. Once the brackets are in place, a thin piece of wire will be placed through each bracket. As treatment progresses, the wire will be tightened by an orthodontist during regular appointments, which will result in moving the teeth into the proper position.
Focus on the Positives
Children and teenagers may not understand the benefits of braces, and they may resist getting them. As a parent, make it a point to focus on the positive aspects of wearing braces. While complete orthodontic treatment can take two years or more, wearing braces for a couple of years will result in a permanent solution that will ensure that your child has a straight smile and healthy teeth that are properly positioned. Letting your child know all of the good things that come from wearing braces can make him or her feel better about getting fitted for braces.
Prepare for the First Few Days
Getting fitted for braces typically is not painful, although some kids may experience a fair amount of discomfort. However, after the braces are in place, it is possible for a child to experience soreness and pain due to the pressure of the bracket and wires. Thus, it is a good idea to have soft foods on hand for your child to consume for the first few days after getting braces. Likewise, you may want to purchase some orthodontic wax to place over the brackets of the braces to prevent irritation inside the mouth.
For more information about braces, contact an orthodontist office like Reed & Sahlaney Orthodontics, LLP.
Our oral surgery and general dental website offers important information on how to prevent dry socket following a tooth extraction. After getting your tooth pulled, a protective blood clot develops over the extraction site. Many of our blog posts explain how this protective clot helps promote healing after an extraction.
You'll learn that if the clot is accidentally dislodged, dry socket may occur, which can raise your risk for infection and heavy bleeding. We'll provide you with important tips on how to prevent this by avoiding smoking and drinking through a straw. You'll also learn that swishing water around your mouth should be avoided for a couple of days following your extraction because doing so creates a suction that may dislodge your clot, leading to dry socket.