If this is the case, how can you sensitively raise the subject with your offspring?
Fortunately, if you approach the matter in the right way, you could help your child to see their braces journey as more of an adventure than a hardship. Here are just a few things you could do…
Reassure your child about braces
Once you have booked an appointment with the dentist for your child to have braces fitted, your little one could understandably be nervous. However, you could put them at ease by explaining what the braces treatment will involve and why it will be beneficial for the long term.
You could, for example, enlighten your child about the dazzling smile they will be left with — a smile they will be able to show off on social media sites.
Be honest about the temporary discomfort
This is a reference not to the fitting itself but instead the first few days after it. While it is a good idea to be open with your kid about this discomfort, don’t neglect to emphasise that it won’t last for too long — and that it is important for them to let you know if it actually does.
That way, you will be able to, if necessary, arrange another appointment with the orthodontist so that they can make sure nothing has been left awry.
Stock up on cold foods
These can include ice cream and frozen yoghurts — and few children wouldn’t want to tuck into those! However, your objective when buying these would be helping your child to ease the temporary pain that arises from wearing braces.
Though kids can also suck ice cubes to alleviate the same pain, you should remind your child to only suck and not eat ice cubes, as doing the latter can fracture young teeth.
Stock up on soft foods, too
As your child’s mouth will be left tender as a result of the braces treatment, their diet will need to be limited to soft foods like soup, pasta, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes.
Of course, the good news is that ‘soft foods’ is still quite a broad category — meaning that you might not particularly struggle to find many such foods that you know your boy or girl will enjoy.
Don’t be afraid to seek further expert advice
We provide orthodontics in Bayswater for a wide range of patients, and so are thoroughly experienced in familiarising people with dos and don’ts to follow after such dental treatment.
For this reason, if you arrange for your child to have braces fitted here at Kai Dental, we can let you know at the session what else you will be able to do to help your child overcome inconveniences of wearing braces. Contact us to learn more on the subject. Give our dental practice a ring on 020 7229 4033.
