Children’s braces can correct misalignment problems at a young age. Wearing these corrective devices can also help teach kids the importance of dental care. Asking the right questions during consultation can help you understand the process. Here are three FAQs that you can ask your dentist about children’s braces.
The dentist will conduct a physical dental exam during the first visit. Ordering dental X-rays will help assess the child’s jaw, teeth, and mouth development. Asking the child about significant symptoms can determine if children’s braces can help the situation as well. Here are some target conditions that the dentist will consider:
Research reveals that many kids have jaw or teeth misalignment as they go through growth and development. Issues to consider are overcrowding, crooked, or overlapping teeth. These can lead to malocclusions that can make dental functions difficult later in life. That is why dentists recommend children’s braces once the permanent teeth begin emerging. This enables the dentist to see the placement and development of the child’s jaws, as well as the teeth.
Discussing the treatment involving children’s braces with the dentist will allow them to understand its benefits. Talking to the child about the treatment will follow. Knowing what will happen while wearing these braces can motivate the child to follow instructions. It can also help them become more cooperative when it comes to proper oral care and diet changes.
Wearing children’s braces comes with behavioral and lifestyle changes. The child must know and understand the different aspects of the treatment. Doing so will help them go through the changes with the smile goals in mind. Some kids are active, so wearing a mouthguard as they play can prevent mouth injuries.
Diet is also an important aspect of a child’s development and growth. Giving the young patient nutritious food during the treatment is crucial. Coming up with meals and snacks that do not need much biting is ideal. Learning how to cut up food into small pieces can help the child manage at school or during gatherings.
The child will go through a significant adjustment while wearing these braces. There will be new rules and new habits to incorporate into the child’s routine. The child will also go through constant worry about one’s self-image. That is why preparing the child is necessary. The following are some tips to consider when doing so.
Bring the child during the consultation. This will allow the child to ask questions that parents may not think of. Ask the child to prepare a list of these queries. Answering each one can relieve much of the anxiety.
Talk to the child about the steps. It can be nerve-racking for the child to go to the dentist for children’s braces. Explain that the components of the treatment will take a while to attach. Keeping the mouth open for a while will be necessary. Knowing the specifics of treatment day can help the child cooperate well. Letting the child choose the color of ortho bands can help them participate in the treatment.
Prepare soft foods at home. The child will likely complain about oral pain at home. Prepare soft and liquid foods to make eating easier. Give the child ice cream or yogurt to help ease the soreness.
Always have orthodontic wax at home. Applying bits of wax on the brackets and wires can keep them from scratching the soft tissues of the mouth. Also, help the child adjust their dental care habits. Brackets and wires can make teeth cleaning extra challenging. It is important to provide cleaning materials that can help the child clean around them.
Motivate the child to concentrate on the positive aspects of the treatment. The child will be prone to awkwardness and embarrassment. Wearing children’s braces for about two years can seem like a lifetime because of the negative emotions. Talk to the child about the end results of the treatment. Explain that the braces are temporary tools for achieving a lasting smile.
The beginning of the treatment will always be difficult. Adjusting to the children’s braces may take some time. It is your job to relieve your child’s frustrations. This is possible by always making things easier despite the significant diet and lifestyle changes. Working with your dentist can help make your child’s teeth straightening journey much easier.
Request an appointment here: https://www.orthodonticprecision.com or call Precision Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry at (703) 391-8800 for an appointment in our Reston office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
As a parent, you probably understand that pediatric dentistry is an important aspect of your child's overall health. However, you first need to deal with the teething process as the baby teeth emerge from the gums. It varies among babies, but teething typically begins around six months of age. Common symptoms include sore and irritated…
Pediatric dentistry treatments can correct any dental problem your child may have. Seeing the dentist first can determine the right path to take. Modern dentistry offers several treatments that can help your child, no matter their concern.Here are the details if you want to know more about the different pediatric dentistry treatments available.These preventive treatments…
Braces for kids play a crucial role in helping children develop healthy and well-aligned smiles. With so many options available today, it can be challenging for parents to decide which style best fits their child. With the help of an orthodontist, parents can learn which braces are best suited to their child’s needs.Parents need to…
Visiting a pediatric dentistry office with your child ensures his or her future relationship with oral hygiene and dentists, in general. Whenever your child suffers from oral injuries, consider making an appointment with your pediatric dentist to uncover any underlying problems. For instance, injuries to the tongue and teeth could indicate a deeper jaw or…
As a parent, you probably understand that pediatric dentistry is an important aspect of your child's overall health. However, you first need to deal with the teething process as the baby teeth emerge from the gums. It varies among babies, but teething typically begins around six months of age. Common symptoms include sore and irritated…
Pediatric dentistry treatments can correct any dental problem your child may have. Seeing the dentist first can determine the right path to take. Modern dentistry offers several treatments that can help your child, no matter their concern.Here are the details if you want to know more about the different pediatric dentistry treatments available.These preventive treatments…