My intense love for candy, cakes, and everything in between started as a child. I simply couldn't go one day without something sweet to eat. But my love for all things sweet took a toll on my teeth. My dentist diagnosed me with seven cavities, each one a different size and depth. After sitting through four long dental appointments, I decided to make a change. I now monitor my diet and only eat things that benefit my oral health. I'm here to help you take better care of your teeth. My blog offers tips on how to improve your diet, maintain good oral hygiene, and many other topics. Hopefully, you can learn to overcome your bad habits just as I did. Good luck with your future dental health.
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It's recommended by the American Association of Orthodontics to have your child screened for dental inconsistencies by the age of seven, which is when their adult teeth are forming but bones and gum tissues are still pliable and easy to manipulate for treatment purposes if necessary. But if your child ends up needing braces, they may be hesitant to wear them for fear of being a bit different than their friends at school. Here are a few tips and tricks you can use to help your kid feel more comfortable wearing braces so they can reap the rewards of a bright, healthy smile for a lifetime:
Highlight the Positive
There's a good chance that your little one will complain about comfort and convenience after having their new braces put on, so it's important not to let them dwell on the negative aspects they experience. When your child complains, acknowledge their feelings and then quickly highlight a positive aspect about wearing the braces. For instance, you can focus on the fact that they can look forward to straight, beautiful teeth once the braces come off.
Not only will this habit help minimize the complaining, but it will encourage a healthy habit of looking on the positive side of things, even when at first glace things look dim. Make a point to ask your child what they think the benefits of wearing braces are from time to time to help build their confidence about wearing them.
Brighten Things Up
Investing in some colored rubber bands to wear with your child's braces is an excellent way to make the experience a fun and positive one. Colorful rubber bands will provide your kid with an opportunity to express their personality and personalize their style, which will give them and their friends something to smile about when spending time together – their friends may even be envious of their tooth bling!
The colorful rubber bands can also stimulate your child's mind and body when they're worn, so they can be used to create a positive effect on their mood throughout the day. For instance, yellow invokes motivation and happiness, while blue helps keep the mind and body calm. Ask your little one to pay attention to their feelings when wearing different colored rubber bands so they are able to make a connection between the power of their colored bands and their mood for the day.
Host Group Play-Dates
Host some group play-dates for your child and other kids in the community who wear braces to help boost confidence levels. These group play-dates will give your kid a chance to get-together with others who are in the same boat as them, so they don't end up feeling lonely or like they stand out from everyone else. They'll have an opportunity to realize that plenty of other kids wear braces, even if they don't happen to go to the same school or regularly play at the same parks.
These play dates will also give parents an opportunity to educate your children about proper dental care by planning fun activities such as making homemade toothpaste. The parents can use these play dates as time to support each other too.
Work on Oral Hygiene
Encouraging healthy oral hygiene while your little one wears braces will help ensure that small pieces of food and debris don't get left behind in the metal, which could result in bacterial infections and make the experience of wearing braces less attractive overall. The better your child takes care of their teeth and braces, the better they'll feel about wearing them overall. And healthy dental hygiene habits that are learned early on will likely stay with your little one through adulthood.
If your child has a hard time accepting their braces, don't show your frustration. Instead, implement these tips and tricks and you're sure to make a positive impact.
For more information and assistance, talk with your local pediatric orthodontist.
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