Treatments like braces and pediatric orthodontics will help set your child up for a lifetime of happy, healthy and beautiful smiles. However, with all the metal wires and brackets, diet restrictions, and frequent adjustments, your child may not be thrilled during the process. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can help make wearing braces fun for your little one! Here are seven tips that will help them enjoy their journey towards a straighter smile.
1.) Stay Supportive
First and foremost, it’s essential that you stay supportive and positive during your child’s treatment. They’ll likely feel unsure of their appearance at first, so try encouraging them to smile and reassuring them that they still look like themselves.
2.) Make Brushing & Flossing More Exciting
Brushing and flossing can feel like much more of a chore for your child when they’re wearing braces. Help get them excited to clean their smile by playing a catchy song for two minutes, giving them fun-flavored toothpaste or floss, or perhaps even invest in a new electric toothbrush or Waterpik!
3.) Become a Smoothie Expert
Smoothies are a delicious, nutritious treat that can help ease oral soreness and swelling that often accompanies orthodontic treatment. Make smoothies with your child at home and try new combinations of their favorite fruits and vegetables!
4.) Learn All About Braces-Friendly Baking
While your child may have to give up some of their favorite sweets while wearing braces, there are still plenty of tasty treats they can enjoy! Try searching online for recipes that are safe for braces, like gooey brownies with no nuts, fruity cupcakes, or homemade ice cream!
5.) Get Colored Bands for the Seasons
Can your child choose to change the color of the bands on their brackets during their orthodontic checkups? Talk with them beforehand about what colors they want to choose, and help them come up with cool color combinations to match any upcoming holidays.
6.) Make Orthodontic Checkups Something to Look Forward to
Many children don’t look forward to their orthodontic checkups because of how uncomfortable adjusting or tightening braces can be. Consider taking them out for frozen yogurt or a quick outing to somewhere they enjoy after these visits. Not only will this help take their mind off any dental soreness they feel, but it will help them associate checkups with positive memories.
7.) Plan to Celebrate Their New Smile
Completing an orthodontic treatment is a milestone that’s worth celebrating! Help your child look forward to enjoying their new smile by planning with them how to celebrate the end of their treatment.
Wearing braces can present a lot of new challenges and surprises, especially for children. Use these seven tips to help make wearing braces a bit more fun!
About the Practice
At Milton Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer a variety of services and the latest treatments to help patients of all ages achieve a healthier smile. From adult braces to pediatric orthodontics and everything in between, we can help our patients overcome nearly any orthodontic issue. What’s more, our compassionate, talented team will be with you every step of the way to make sure your journey towards a straighter smile is as pleasant as possible. To learn more about making braces fun, we can be contacted online or at (617) 698-8883.