Plenty of parents have concerns about how their tween or teen will manage the demands of their braces or Invisalign treatment. Moms and dads don’t want the mental load of reminding their child to floss properly, brush more often, and change their rubber bands. Many orthodontists have discovered that orthodontic treatment teaches independence and kids’ abilities improve as time goes on. Parents can trust the process to make kids feel in charge of part of their life.
Lesson 1: Brush or else
Braces aren’t easy to clean. They require extra diligence and care to ensure that all the plaque and food buildup is eliminated daily.
Teens with braces and Invisalign patients discover quickly if they’re doing a poor job at brushing and flossing. Their orthodontist or dentist (or, worse, a friend or crush) will point out stains, discoloration, or irritated gums. This highlight is often embarrassing enough to encourage them into a routine that, when followed, delivers excellent, motivating results.
Lesson 2: Honor food restrictions
It isn’t easy to give up certain food because you’re wearing braces, but teens learn quickly that what they avoid will protect their braces, minimize discomfort, and reduce the chance of developing cavities (no one wants orthodontic treatment interrupted because of tooth decay treatment).
When the logic of avoiding chewy, crunchy, and sticky foods is explained, most teens obey, or learn the hard way. Some are even fortunate enough to think ahead, find out if they qualify for Invisalign Teen, and enjoy the opportunity to remove trays for all meals, eliminating food restrictions entirely.
Lesson 3: Accept the annoying stuff
Rubber bands are one of the biggest gripes among patients (and parents, who often discover rubber bands flung all over the house). The bands need to be changed frequently. In most cases, the recommendation is to switch them out two to three times a day, typically after eating or brushing, though it may be necessary to do this more often.
Changing elastics regularly allows all the mouth gear to do an effective job, and your teen with braces will tattle on themselves if they don’t honor this rule. Your orthodontist can tell who’s following instructions (same goes with wear indicators on Invisalign trays), and patients usually don’t forget anymore when they’ve been set back by ignoring the rules.
Lesson 4: Embrace growth and confidence
Soon enough, it’s no longer about what braces look like, but embracing the experience of brackets and wires on your teeth and enjoying life no matter what. Some teens just take time to come around. Eventually, orthodontic patients realize the journey is a privilege they are lucky to have.
The complaints of early days of pressure, pain, discomfort, pokey wires, or tight trays fade away and teens get used to the experience. Living with braces and Invisalign is simply part of their lifestyle and it fits (especially when they realize so many peers are going through the same thing). You’ll see your child smile, brackets and all. They’ll take selfies and speak up and find new foods to enjoy. And all along you will both watch their teeth straighten and become healthier and stronger.
Learn more about braces and Invisalign in Woodinville, WA, from the orthodontic team at Soleil Orthodontics. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
