Braces can give your child straight teeth that will improve self-esteem and that will help to align the teeth for proper talking and chewing. However, the first few days and weeks with braces can be a bit interesting as your child grows accustomed to having metal brackets on the teeth. There are a few ways that you can help your child feel comfortable while wearing braces from the beginning of the treatment until the end.
Education
The most important thing that you can do to help your child is to offer education about the braces and how to care for them. You need to show the child how to properly brush the teeth and floss. Teach the child about the foods that should be avoided and those that are good for the teeth. You also need to educate your child about the benefits of braces.
Seek Help When Needed
If there are broken brackets or any issues with the braces, then you should make a visit to professionals, like those at Dr Basil’s Clinic. The doctor can get a better idea about why the issue occurred while offering a few tips on how to care for the braces in a better fashion so that breaks don’t happen in the future. The orthodontist can usually give the child wax strips and other tools that can help with comfort in the first few days after getting braces.
Stay Normal
Just because your child has braces doesn’t mean that normal things can’t be enjoyed. It’s alright for your child to play sports or play an instrument at school. Life should go on as it normally would. Instead of your child having crooked teeth, there is now help to have straight teeth that your child will be proud to show off to others. There are certain pieces of equipment that you can get for the mouth that will help to prevent injuries while wearing braces, such as a mouth guard that helps to prevent the brackets from cutting the inside of the mouth.
Make It Fun
When you go to the grocery store to get foods that your child can eat, make it a fun trip so that your child is involved in the decisions. Let your child decide the color of the bands that will go around each bracket at monthly orthodontist visits. A water flosser is an idea that will offer a bit of excitement when brushing and flossing while still providing the oral hygiene needed to keep the teeth clean.
Your child might not understand the entire concept of braces at first but after a few weeks, it will be like second nature. Get involved with the treatment, seeking advice when it’s needed. Follow the suggestions by the orthodontist with foods and cleaning so that the treatment is a success.