How to Help Your Child Adjust to Braces

It’s common knowledge that braces can be challenging for kids. In the US, about 3.9 million of them are orthodontic patients, according to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). While it can be fun to select colors for their braces, staying with them is not a walk in the park. You will certainly need to help your child adjust. Here is some advice to help your child adjust to their new braces.

Educate Yourself.

One of the first steps to take if you want to help your child with braces is to first educate yourself about them. This will help you get as much information about them as possible. You will also get a lot of tips to help your child adjust. You can boost your knowledge about braces and how they work by discussing them with your child’s orthodontist. It is advisable to ask them about how you can ease the child’s discomfort, the best diet for them, and any feelings the child might be experiencing. This will boost your confidence and you can easily reassure your child when they are worried about something.

Be Accommodating With Meals.

Once your teen starts wearing branches, you will also need to adjust their diet accordingly. This means you will have to research the nutrition they need. You must note that kids with braces are usually limited when it comes to the types of proteins, vegetables, fruits, and grains you can give them. It can be quite a challenge to try and revamp your household menu to suit their needs. However, it is important to think about their braces before you feed them something. They must also avoid eating the things they love if they can cause issues because of braces.

Help them With Their Cleaning Routine.

Even if your child has already mastered the art of brushing teeth on their own, you must note that cleaning braces are a bit different. You kids might even become less diligent with their cleaning routine once they get braces. This is because braces can be a bit difficult to clean. Your child will also likely have to switch toothbrushes and start using something more suited to braces. All this can be quite challenging and time-consuming for the child. Taking into consideration that kids aren’t that patient, this means you will have to step in and make sure they are cleaning their braces properly.

Helping your child with braces can be an easy task as long as you properly educate yourself. You just have to research and discuss things with your child’s orthodontist. Once you have mastered everything there is to know about managing braces, it will be easier to stay on top of the situation.