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Brace Yourself!
Helping Your Child Adjust to Orthodontic Braces
By Tamar Weiss
Perhaps the main concern for kids with braces is the way they look. Preteenagers are already self-conscious, and braces certainly don't help. A child about to get braces may feel better knowing that today's braces are less noticeable than they used to be, and a patient can even choose the color of the brackets. The AAO says "some of today's wires are made of space-age materials that exert a steady, gentle pressure on the teeth, so that the tooth-moving process may be faster and more comfortable for the patients."
Another bit of good news from the AAO is that a clear orthodontic wire is currently in an experimental stage, so braces might soon be hard to notice. The AAO can even provide a patient with a free computer-generated picture of what your preteen will look like with braces. Seeing herself with a flawless smile may reduce much of the tension that your preteen is feeling.
Dr. Mahaffey says many preteens feel better when told that countless people they see with straight teeth are the result of wearing braces. He feels that parents should help their kids to take pride in the fact that they have the opportunity to have their teeth straightened, and that kids should in fact thank their parents. "Help kids get through the process by encouraging their progress," Dr. Lemchen says. "And of course, always teach them to have good self-esteem."
Most importantly, Dr. Mahaffey suggests that parents encourage kids to be confident. "Go ahead and smile," he says. "Laugh and enjoy life."