Teen braces provide kids ages 12 through 18 with the extra help they need to enjoy beautiful smiles for life. If your teen has misaligned or gapped teeth that need correcting, make the dental transition as smooth as possible. Use these tips to help the young one accept and even become excited about this restorative and cosmetic dentistry solution.

4 Tips For Helping Your Teen Accept Getting Braces

1. Emphasize The Benefits

Educate your teen about braces and the many problems they prevent. Talk about how they are necessary not just for a beautiful smile, but to avoid tooth decay and wear issues. Crooked teeth are typically harder to clean and become breeding grounds for bacteria. They can also rub against each other, create speaking and eating difficulties, and contribute to jawbone pain and headaches. Braces eliminate all of these problems for healthier, more attractive teeth.

2. Provide Options

Give your teen the option of traditional metal braces and Invisalign to help him, or her feel in control of the situation. Metal options come with different-colored bands that can be changed every time your teen visits the orthodontist, while clear braces are virtually impossible to detect and don’t include food restrictions since they are taken out during meals.

3. Schedule Appointments At The Right Time

Make orthodontic appointments when your teen doesn’t have to sit in class all day with a sore mouth. Metal braces feel sore for a day, or so every time they are tightened, while new clear aligners also put pressure on teeth to create minor discomfort. Schedule appointments at the end of the school day or before the weekend to help your teen recover comfortably.

4. Focus On Braces-Friendly Foods

Provide soft foods if your teen picked traditional metal options since hard and crunchy foods such as popcorn and specific raw vegetables damage wires and brackets. Focus on steamed veggies, soft fruits such as oranges, cooked pasta, and grains, tender meat such as chicken, soft bread, and eggs. Smoothies are also ideal, as are milkshakes. And while you shouldn’t give your teen milkshakes all the time because of the sugar, they make a nice treat after getting braces adjusted. 

Work with Lamont Jacobs Orthodontics in Fairfield, OH and stay supportive of your teen throughout the braces process. The orthodontist offers both teen and adult braces, including traditional and Invisalign options. Call (513) 829-7045 (Fairfield location) or (513) 523-5578 (Oxford location) today to make an appointment or visit the website for more information.