Tips For Dealing With Braces

If your child is getting a mouth full of metal, chances are that he or she is not looking forward to the experience. Most kids don’t want to get braces, but it’s a normal part of growing up for many people.

To help make this process as smooth and comfortable as possible, we’ve compiled a list of tips to ensure that your little one doesn’t have an overall negative experience.

Follow Dietary Restrictions

This may sound like no fun, but the fact is that they are put in place for a reason. Certain foods and beverages can wreak havoc on your braces, so avoid them at all costs. Some examples can include gummy bears, peanut butter, and soda.

While your child may protest to being denied these things, you’ll want to remind him or her that it will be worse to eat them as it could create problems with the braces and lead to discomfort or a yucky mouth.

Keep Rubber Bands Handy

When rubber bands are used in braces, they can be a little off-putting at first. Also, they tend to break on a regular basis. However, while your kid may think that not having a band in place would be good, the fact is that the hooks can start to dig into his or her cheeks.

Keeping replacements handy can allow you to not only avoid the pain of the hooks, but ensure that you’re staying on target for treatment.

Be Honest With the Orthodontist

While some pain and discomfort are to be expected, it shouldn’t be excruciating. Kids may think that they have to suffer, but they should be open and honest about how their braces feel. When they are tightened and adjusted, there will be some extra discomfort as you get used to them, but if it’s noticeably painful, bring it up during the appointment or as soon as possible.

Contact Us Today

At 360 Orthodontics, we strive to make sure that all of our patients are satisfied with their braces and their orthodontic care. We will help your child through this challenging time and enable him or her to feel great about getting braces.