When your child has lost all of their baby teeth, it is common for them to require orthodontic treatment to ensure that they get a straight smile. Their adult teeth might be overcrowded or crooked, for example, and they might benefit from wearing braces or a retainer to correct this problem. As their parent, it is important that you support your child through the orthodontic process to make it as pleasant as possible and to reassure them that it will all be worth it for a perfectly straight smile that lasts a lifetime. Here are some tips for how you can support your child through orthodontic treatment.
Prepare them for their treatment
Having braces fitted can be a scary prospect for a child. They might have heard rumors from friends at school and be frightened of the process or be worried that they will suffer some ridicule afterward. Talk them through the entire process of what will happen on the day they get their braces to dispel any myths and to reassure them that having braces fitted isn’t a scary process. Your child may feel some discomfort after having their braces fitted due to the new pressure their teeth have been put under. A hot water bottle or ice pack pressed to the outside of their mouth will alleviate any discomfort, but take them back to the orthodontist if the pain persists for more than a few days.
Support them with their brushing
It is important that your child keeps up with their regular dental hygiene routine; however, cleaning teeth and braces can be tricky. Braces cover certain areas of the teeth and create extra nooks and crannies in which bacteria can hide, so it is important that your child takes extra care in brushing these spots. Kent Express Dental Supplies, at kentexpress.co.uk, has a range of tools that make cleaning braces easier. An interdental toothbrush, for instance, has a smaller head to clean small and awkward spaces around the braces. Encourage your child to carry a small teeth cleaning kit when they are at school so that they can quickly clean their teeth and braces after lunch.
Stock up on brace-friendly food
In the days following brace application, your child may only be able to eat soft foods that requires minimal chewing to prevent their teeth from hurting. Scrambled egg, soup, and yoghurt are great options. After a few days, when your child’s braces have settled down, they can start to eat hard foods again. However, certain foods should be avoided as much as possible throughout the duration of orthodontic treatment. Sticky foods like candy, marshmallows, and caramel can get stuck between the braces and the teeth, and be difficult to remove. If left, this can eventually lead your child to develop cavities and tooth decay. Furthermore, hard foods like apples, nut, and crusty bread can damage the braces and dislodge the wires, requiring further corrective procedures that delay the overall orthodontic treatment.
