A child or adolescent faced with the prospect of needing orthodontic treatment will be understandably apprehensive. They know it’s going to be a big change, but they may not know exactly what to expect. They might have mistaken ideas about what having braces or clear aligners involves that provoke unnecessary anxiety. As a parent you may even share some of their fears—plus, you’re undoubtedly worried about making sure your child’s treatment is a success!
How you prepare for orthodontic treatment can make your child’s experience better by addressing their concerns, easing their fears, and showing them you recognize the work they’re putting in to transform their smile. Here are our top tips for helping your child get ready for braces or clear aligners.
Preparing for the Start of Orthodontics
Whether you’re waiting to come in for your consultation, you and your child are trying to decide between braces and clear aligners, or you’re just counting down the days until treatment starts, you can help make the transition easier with steps like:
Starting the conversation at home: Your child will feel more comfortable and be more engaged with the process of orthodontic treatment if it is accompanied by clear communication. Begin by talking about why they need orthodontic treatment and what it will accomplish. Reassure them that having orthodontics is very common—if they’re the first kid in their class getting braces or clear aligners, they can be sure that before long, many kids they know will be in the same boat. Encourage them to write down any additional questions they have for our office and bring them to their next appointment. We are happy to help ensure they have all the information they need!
| Some tips on how to help your kids break their fears about getting braces | Our Recommendations |
| Walking them through the process of getting braces or clear aligners | Uncertainty about what to expect tends to magnify a child’s fears about orthodontics. First, you can reassure them that nothing will happen without them being told about it ahead of time. For their initial consultation and exam, we start with introducing them to our team and the office. Then we gather the information we need on your child’s bite with digital X-rays and state-of-the-art digital scans (no uncomfortable impressions with trays of goo!). Finally, we use that information to create a personalized treatment plan that considers your child’s preferences and lifestyle to determine if braces or clear aligners is the best choice. |
| Pointing out role models they can emulate | The dazzling smiles many celebrities display on the red carpet or the big screen are the result of the exact same treatments your child is about to start. The list includes Zendaya, Billie Eilish, Zac Efron, Khloe Kardashian, Justin Bieber, and Miley Cyrus. Knowing that a personal favorite has already successfully gone through orthodontics and has the beautiful smile to show for their hard work can help your child focus on the benefits they can expect when they’ve completed treatment too. |
| Openly addressing misconceptions | You might be afraid to bring up the subject of fears because you don’t want to put negative thoughts in your child’s head. Chances are, though, they’re already thinking about those fears but are hesitant to bring them up. Kids often think that getting braces will hurt. In fact, getting the brackets and wire placed doesn’t hurt at all! They may also be afraid that getting braces or clear aligners means that all their favorite snacks are off limits. While braces will require some minor changes to avoid foods that could cause damage, clear aligners don’t involve any dietary changes at all—if that’s a big deal to your child, that difference might make treatment with clear aligners a better option. |
| Giving them positive reinforcement and support | If after all of that, your child is still feeling a bit apprehensive, that’s perfectly normal. Consider a reward system that acknowledges their work in making orthodontic treatment a success and celebrates this milestone with them. This could include letting them pick what to have for dinner on the days they have orthodontic appointments or having them pick a prize of their choice (like a new videogame) after a pre-determined number of successful appointments. A few meaningful rewards along the way can help them stay the course to achieve the healthy bite and beautiful smile that are the goal of orthodontic treatment. Our office also uses a point system where patients can earn prizes or gift cards, as well as monthly and seasonal contests, to reward the active participation that is such an important part of successful treatment! |
Expert, Compassionate Orthodontic Care
At B Orthodontics, we’re here to support you and your child so they can approach their orthodontic treatment with knowledge and confidence. To find out more about our treatment options or to schedule your free initial consultation, contact us here today.
