What to Expect When My Child Gets Braces

Braces correct crookedness, bite misalignment, rotated teeth, and jaw issues that may impact your child’s ability to properly eat, communicate, and maintain good oral hygiene as they get older.

Metal braces are versatile and effective at addressing advanced orthodontic issues, making them a popular choice for younger patients. Your child must avoid certain foods (like gum, sticky candy, hard bread, corn on the cob, whole apples, etc.) and make slight adjustments to their dental care routine while they have braces (such as brushing and flossing around their brackets and carefully cleaning their mouth after eating).

Getting Braces

Before actually getting braces, your child will need a consultation with an orthodontist. They will evaluate your child’s mouth and jaw to determine the right treatment plan for their needs. When it comes time to put the braces on your child’s teeth, metal brackets will be bonded to the front of their teeth. These are not permanent; they will be attached to their teeth only for the duration of their treatment. These brackets will be connected with an archwire.

After each visit, your child may feel slight pressure and soreness from their braces. This is because they are pushing and pulling their teeth into new positions! Their mouth will get used to the different pressure in a few days. In the meantime, they may need some over-the-counter medication to help ease their discomfort.

Braces Survival Tips

• The brackets or wires may sometimes poke or irritate your child’s cheeks and lips. Generously apply dental wax onto offending areas to ease irritation. Notify their orthodontist in case a wire needs to be snipped or adjusted.
• Diligently follow the instructions given by their orthodontist about any additional gear your child should wear, how their braces should be cleaned, and foods to avoid.
• Sometimes an orthodontist will have your child wear special rubber bands in different configurations to help move their teeth. Remind your child to wear these as directed!
• Pack a small kit your child can take with them when they leave the house so they can still take care of their braces. Items could include dental wax, toothbrush, toothpaste, interdental brushes, floss and floss threaders, rubber bands, etc.
• Keep up with routine visits to their orthodontist so their treatment can progress on schedule.

Affordable Pediatric Dentist in Kerrville, TX

At Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry, we provide comprehensive pediatric dental services for kids and teens that are affordable. If you think your child might need braces, let us know and we can refer you to a trusted orthodontist.

Contact Us

Image of children with braces from Authority Dental under CC 2.0

Categorised in: Braces