It’s normal for kids to have fears before they initiate their orthodontic treatment, so here are some ways to make it easier!
There’s no denying how initially starting orthodontic treatment with braces or Line-M-Up™ can be a big adjustment, and this is especially the case for teens and children who need early intervention treatment.
If your child seems nervous about their consultation appointment with Dr. Karpac or is feeling a bit stressed after their consultation, we’re here to make you and your child’s transition easier.
Below are five tips for parents to help ease their child’s fears and brace for change!
How Parents Can Help Prepare Their Children For Braces Treatment
Most parents assume that their children will begin their orthodontic treatment during their teenage years, but there are many extenuating circumstances that might require a younger child to undergo early intervention and other two-phase orthodontic treatments.
This can make it a lot tougher on children who are scared of the changes associated with getting braces, which means that parents need to be prepared to make these transitions a little easier.
The good news is that Dr. Karpac is a renowned orthodontist with pediatric dentistry experience, and here are five of Dr. Karpac’s tips for parents to prepare children for braces treatment:
1. Start With An Honest & Open Conversation
Communication is key between parents and children during the orthodontic treatment journey, and we’ll always do our best to squash any preconceptions about orthodontic treatment and braces when you come in for your consultation appointment.
But it’s also very important for parents to start the conversation about orthodontics at home prior to visiting us. This means explaining to your child why they need orthodontic treatment, and how it’ll benefit their long-term future and overall dental health.
Parents should also explain to children how orthodontic treatment is very common, and that their friends will likely undergo treatment in the near future if they haven’t already.
Our decades of experience have shown that children feel a lot more comfortable with the treatment process when they feel in the loop, so getting the conversation started at home can go a very long way toward easing a child’s fears and uncertainties!
2. Explaining The Braces Or Line-M-Up™ Process
Another great strategy to ease a child’s anxiety is to visit our website to gather information about the braces and Line-M-Up™ process.
Here’s a quick summary to keep in mind when you want to quickly explain the treatment process to your child:
- Our team will first welcome you and your child at our Dublin office for your consultation appointment with Dr. Karpac. We’ll make sure that you’re both feeling comfortable as you prepare for your orthodontic exam.
- Karpac will then assess your child’s smile through a series of exams. This can include x-ray images, 3D digital scans, bite examinations, and many other techniques that’ll ultimately determine the best-suited treatment strategy.
- Once we’ve gathered your child’s smile data, Dr. Karpac will offer a few different treatment options that are 100% personalized for your child’s unique needs. We’ll also go over your child’s treatment schedule, financing options, insurance coverage, hygiene tips, and other important details for both children and parents to keep in mind.
- You’ll then get your braces or Line-M-Up™ invisible aligners, and we’ll let you know when to come back for your next adjustment and checkup appointment. It’s that easy!
3. Talk About How Cool Orthodontic Treatment Is!
You should also let your child know just how cool orthodontic treatment is, because it’s likely that their favorite celebrities and influencers once wore braces to achieve their famous smiles.
Celebs like Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish and Zendaya all went through orthodontic treatment! If your child looks up to someone in your family or neighborhood that’s gone through orthodontic treatment, this could also give them the motivation and confidence that they need to start their own journey.
And if you personally received orthodontic treatment, talking about your own experiences can also help ease fears as well!
4. Address Orthodontic Treatment Misconceptions
It’s possible that your child feels apprehensive toward orthodontic treatment because of some misconceptions, which is why it’s important for parents to address these misconceptions and help reinvigorate their child’s excitement toward transforming their smile!
Below are a couple of misconceived questions that we receive a lot:
- Does it hurt to get braces? We’re hopeful that your child will be relieved to know that getting braces doesn’t hurt. The installation process only involves a tiny bit of dental glue, a wire that’s placed in between brackets, and a tool that holds a patient’s lips and cheeks back while we’re placing brackets. None of this is painful, and any minor soreness goes away within a few days as a patient’s teeth adjust to having braces. Although you might need some Tylenol for a couple of days, this soreness is nothing to worry about!
- Can I still eat snacks while wearing braces or Line-M-Up? Absolutely! Although your child will likely need to make a few minor adjustments to their diet while wearing braces, Line-M-Up™ doesn’t require dietary changes. But the diet changes for braces patients still make it possible for a lot of great snacks!
5. Consider Creating a Reward System
If your child is feeling extra cautious about getting braces, it could be a good idea to create a positive reward system that encourages them to give treatment a try.
Here are a few ideas to keep in mind for these types of reward systems:
- Give your child a celebratory lunch before/after visiting for your consultation appointment.
- Reward them with a new book or video game after getting braces or Line-M-Up™.
- Create a sticker chart and add stickers after each checkup appointment with Dr. Karpac. Once they’ve accumulated a few stickers, they can redeem them for a reward like a video game, new toy, or a favorite restaurant outing.
- Let your child pick out a new toothbrush and other orthodontic toolkit products to make them more excited about maintaining great oral hygiene.
Small prizes are great for making sure that your child is excited about getting braces, and it’ll also keep them motivated toward continuing their treatment progress!
Have Questions About Early Intervention & Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment? Reach Out To Us Today To Learn More!
We’ve helped countless young children who were originally apprehensive about starting their orthodontic treatment when they came to visit us for their consultation appointment, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us when you have questions about early intervention and two-phase orthodontic treatment.
JK Orthodontics is a renowned orthodontic treatment facility based in Dublin, Ohio that’s known for its decades of experience and industry expertise. We’ll be sure to help your child feel comfortable and confident as they begin their transition toward a beautiful new smile that’ll last for the rest of their life.
Are your ready to schedule your child’s consultation appointment? Fill out our new child patient form or give us a call at 614-766-0330 to get the process started today!