How to Help Your Teen Adjust to Wearing Braces!

It’s no secret that teens are not exactly the biggest fans of braces. While the idea of straighter teeth may be exciting, most teens are nervous about how they will look with their braces on and how it will effect their daily lives. Here’s some ways you can help your teen adjust to wearing braces.

Do Your Research

Take the time to learn as much as you can about braces and what your child can expect during their orthodontic treatment. Ensuring that you have an ample amount of knowledge will help you understand what your teen is experiencing, allowing you to provide guidance and tips whenever needed. Ask your child’s dentist or orthodontist about your teen’s treatment and ask questions about how you can best help them at home.

Be Supportive

Braces can be tough to get used to; it’s important to offer your support throughout your teen’s orthodontic treatment. If you had braces yourself as a teen, let your child know that you know exactly what they’re going through. Give some tips that helped you adjust to wearing braces. Letting your teen know that they have your support and that you understand what they’re experiencing is a great way to help them feel more comfortable and secure.

Braces-Friendly Meals

Along with braces comes a detailed list of foods to avoid while wearing braces. It can be difficult for teens to adjust to a different diet, especially if they have to miss out on eating the same meal as everyone else in the house. Stick to foods that are easy to chew, avoiding crunchy or extremely chewy foods. Meals with soft foods are a great idea, especially right after your teen has had their braces placed or tightened; their mouths will likely be a bit tender and sore.

Find the Right Orthodontist

Finding an orthodontist that is the perfect fit for both you and your teen is a crucial part of ensuring that they enjoy their orthodontic treatment as much as possible. It can be understandably difficult to ensure that your teen is on board with attending all of their orthodontic appointments, but making sure that they are receiving treatment from a professional that they trust and connect with is an excellent way to ensure that they are comfortable and more likely to attend their appointments without much grievance.

Here at Miller Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we are proud to offer the best services for braces in Boynton Beach. We understand that this can be a difficult change both for your teen as well as yourself, and we are here to help every step of the way. Dr. Miller and his team of orthodontic professionals will ensure that both you and your child are fully educated on all aspects of your teen’s orthodontic treatment, and we strive to make each visit in our office fun and enjoyable for everyone.

For more information about our orthodontic services or to get scheduled for an appointment in our Boynton Beach dental office, give us a call at (561) 336-6560.