Some kids will be excited about the idea of getting braces. Others? Not so much. Everyone knows that wearing braces isn’t the most fun experience in the world. You have to avoid your favorite foods, attend frequent orthodontic appointments, and deal with occasional soreness.

Still, though, wearing braces is important, even for kids who still have their baby teeth. As your leading orthodontist in Hammonton, NJ, Centerton Orthodontics is here to help make the process of getting braces easier for kids who might be reluctant or scared.

Below, we’ll go over seven practical tips that parents can follow when it comes to encouraging their kid(s) to wear braces. In time, your child might even be excited to go to their braces appointments! Let’s get started.

Stay Positive and Supportive

One of the most powerful things you can do as a parent is to maintain a positive attitude about the braces process. Kids often pick up on how the adults around them feel, so if you’re encouraging and upbeat, it can help ease any anxiety they might be experiencing.

Some children might feel self-conscious about their braces (e.g. they might worry about how they look or what their friends might think). Remind your child that braces are temporary and that the payoff — a beautiful, straight smile — is worth the time and effort.

Compliment their bravery for taking on this challenge and reassure them that they still look like themselves, brackets and all. If you’re not sure how to best encourage your child, consider reaching out to a pediatric orthodontist in South Jersey. Centerton Orthodontics is a great choice, since we specialize in kids braces.

Make Brushing and Flossing Fun

Your kid probably knows that it’s important to keep their teeth clean. However, brushing and flossing around brackets and wires can be tricky, and some kids might not know how to do it properly (or they might resist doing it).

In this case, it might help to make brushing and flossing more fun. For example, you might let your kid pick out a cool electric toothbrush. You can also make maintaining their oral hygiene easier for them by providing them with pre-threaded flossers that are specifically designed for braces.

You can also teach them how to use a mini water flosser, which will make cleaning between their brackets easier (not to mention a bit more exciting). If your child is still hesitant to brush and floss, you can set up a rewards system (e.g. stickers or special treats for brushing and flossing properly).

Get Creative With Smoothies

After going through an adjustment, your child’s teeth might feel sore. This might make it difficult for them to chew and eat their favorite foods. Don’t worry, though, because smoothies are a fantastic solution to this problem. They’re easy to make, easy to eat, and are full of nutrients.

You can even make it a fun activity by letting your child experiment with different ingredients (within reason, of course). If you want, you can sneak in some spinach or kale to give your kid’s smoothies an extra health boost. Your child will appreciate the sensation and taste of a nice cold smoothie, especially if their mouth is sore from their braces.

Make Braces-Friendly Treats

One of the hardest parts of having braces is giving up certain snacks. This is true for any age group. Sticky, crunchy, or hard foods like caramel, popcorn, and nuts are off-limits. Needless to say, this can be pretty disappointing for kids.

However, braces-friendly alternatives can be just as delicious — and more fun to make at home. For example, you can bake soft brownies (without nuts) with your child. Baking together could be a fun bonding activity, and it might even distract your kid from the fact they can’t eat their favorite snacks.

Let Your Kid Personalize Their Braces

If your child has traditional metal braces, they’ll be able to pick out colored bands for them. Most orthodontists offer lots of options for personalizing braces with colorful elastics. This can honestly make a big difference in how kids feel about wearing them.

Encourage your child to choose rubber bands in their favorite colors. They might even want to color-coordinate depending on the season (for example, orange and black elastics for Halloween). This will give them a sense of control and ownership over their braces.

Associate Checkups with Rewards

Orthodontic checkups are an essential part of the braces process, but they’re not always super fun. Adjustments can cause some discomfort, and kids might dread these visits. To make checkups less stressful, try pairing them with a reward.

For example, after a visit to the orthodontist in Hammonton, NJ, you might treat your child to a milkshake or a trip to the toy store. By creating positive memories around these appointments, your child will start to associate orthodontic check-ups with something good.

Plan a Celebration

One of the best ways to keep your child motivated throughout their braces journey is by focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel: their beautiful new smile. Talk about how great they’ll feel when they get their braces off and plan a celebration to mark the occasion.

Ask your child what kind of celebration they’d like. Maybe they want to have a party with their friends, or go on a fun outing to their favorite restaurant. Having something exciting to look forward to can help them stay patient and committed during the more difficult parts of their treatment.

Conclusion

As a parent, your role in encouraging your child to wear braces (and maintain their oral hygiene during their braces treatment) is incredibly important. Stay positive, get creative, and celebrate their progress — they’ll appreciate your support!

Remember, your pediatric orthodontist in South Jersey is there to support both you and your child every step of the way during their braces treatment. Feel free to schedule a consultation with Centerton Orthodontics today! Let’s talk about what treatment might look like for your kid.