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Easing your child\u2019s worries about getting braces<\/strong><\/h6>\nAs with anything new, your child may feel stressed about getting braces. They may be concerned that they will look different and not fit in with their peers. The good news is: if you look around any middle school, junior high, or high school, you\u2019ll see kids with braces everywhere. Your child is not alone \u2013 in fact, they\u2019re joining a large group of classmates who already have braces.<\/p>\n
Encourage your child to talk to siblings, peers or cousins who have braces (or who previously had them) to get their comments. When I asked my 17-year-old son what he remembered about his time with braces, he shrugged and said, \u201cbarely anything.\u201d Clearly, he wasn\u2019t scarred for life by the experience.<\/p>\n
As you try to reassure your child, don\u2019t expect to have much success with \u2018big picture\u2019 statements like \u201cyour teeth will look so nice when it\u2019s over\u201d or \u201cit\u2019s only two years.\u201d Tweens and teens live in the moment and can\u2019t necessarily grasp the long-term benefits. To them, two years may as well be 200 years. Instead, show empathy and try to help them through whatever stage of the process they\u2019re in right now.<\/p>\n
Tips for the early days of braces<\/strong><\/h6>\nRealistically, the initial orthodontist appointments \u2014 involving steps such as taking molds\/impressions, installing brackets and attaching\/tightening wires \u2014 won\u2019t be super enjoyable for your child. One perk is that they may have the option to personalize their braces in a color of their choice.<\/p>\n
Afterwards, to give your child a pick-me-up, be ready with a little non-food gift you know they\u2019ll like, such as:<\/p>\n
\n- A new case for their mobile device<\/li>\n
- Hair products or accessories<\/li>\n
- Lip balm<\/li>\n
- A magazine, book or comic book<\/li>\n
- A package of collectible cards<\/li>\n
- A keychain or backpack charm<\/li>\n
- Colorful pens, pencils or other art supplies<\/li>\n
- A small gift card to a favorite store that relates to their interests (such as crafts, sports, music or gaming)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
My 15-year-old niece got braces this year and described the initial feeling as \u201cweird and a bit uncomfortable.\u201d She said that the braces themselves weren\u2019t painful, but the action of chewing was difficult for the first week. Your orthodontist may recommend an over-the-counter medication like Tylenol or Advil to ease any minor pain.<\/p>\n
Foods your child should eat (and not eat) with braces<\/strong><\/h6>\nFirst and foremost, be sure to follow the instructions provided by your orthodontist\u2019s office. They may give you written information or refer you to a website for further details.<\/p>\n
In the early days of braces, your child will do best with liquids or soft foods that don\u2019t require much chewing. Some typical go-to choices are milkshakes, smoothies, soup, yogurt, applesauce, ice cream, pudding, Jell-O, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs. Adjust your menu based on your child\u2019s tolerance.<\/p>\n
To avoid damaging their braces, your child should consistently avoid foods that are hard, chewy or sticky, such as:<\/p>\n
Realistically, the initial orthodontist appointments \u2014 involving steps such as taking molds\/impressions, installing brackets and attaching\/tightening wires \u2014 won\u2019t be super enjoyable for your child. One perk is that they may have the option to personalize their braces in a color of their choice.<\/p>\n
Afterwards, to give your child a pick-me-up, be ready with a little non-food gift you know they\u2019ll like, such as:<\/p>\n
- \n
- A new case for their mobile device<\/li>\n
- Hair products or accessories<\/li>\n
- Lip balm<\/li>\n
- A magazine, book or comic book<\/li>\n
- A package of collectible cards<\/li>\n
- A keychain or backpack charm<\/li>\n
- Colorful pens, pencils or other art supplies<\/li>\n
- A small gift card to a favorite store that relates to their interests (such as crafts, sports, music or gaming)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
My 15-year-old niece got braces this year and described the initial feeling as \u201cweird and a bit uncomfortable.\u201d She said that the braces themselves weren\u2019t painful, but the action of chewing was difficult for the first week. Your orthodontist may recommend an over-the-counter medication like Tylenol or Advil to ease any minor pain.<\/p>\n
Foods your child should eat (and not eat) with braces<\/strong><\/h6>\n
First and foremost, be sure to follow the instructions provided by your orthodontist\u2019s office. They may give you written information or refer you to a website for further details.<\/p>\n
In the early days of braces, your child will do best with liquids or soft foods that don\u2019t require much chewing. Some typical go-to choices are milkshakes, smoothies, soup, yogurt, applesauce, ice cream, pudding, Jell-O, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs. Adjust your menu based on your child\u2019s tolerance.<\/p>\n
To avoid damaging their braces, your child should consistently avoid foods that are hard, chewy or sticky, such as:<\/p>\n
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