Most teens work hard to maintain their image. They worry that braces will look awkward or affect their confidence.
Fortunately, today’s appliances are much more advanced and fashionable than ever. Smaller, sleeker components in modern devices allow your teen to transform their smile without irritation or embarrassment.
At Hess Orthodontics, we know that convincing your teen to have braces is a challenge. We are here to help. Schedule an appointment with our experts to learn more.
Learn more about Invisalign® for teens.
Ways to convince your teen to get braces
To a teen, signing up for a year or two of orthodontic care seems like an eternity. It can be challenging for them to understand how a little bit of work now will pay off in dividends later.
A few ways to convince your teen to get braces are by explaining the benefits of braces, discussing treatment options that make them feel confident today and in the future, answering questions they might have, and setting them up for success by giving them the tools they need and reminding them that the life-long benefits of braces outweigh the short time of perseverance wearing braces.
Explain the benefits of braces to your teen
Some of the hot topics to cover when convincing your teen to get braces can include
- Lifestyle improvements. – Adults who wore braces in their teenage years smile more confidently, proud of the radiant smile.
- Prevention of future dental problems. – If your dentist recommends you see an orthodontist, they are referring you to someone who can ensure your teeth line up for a proper bite and provide the best functioning oral environment for your teeth. Dentists provide cleaning and care for your teeth, but cleaning becomes more complicated if your teeth align improperly. Aligned teeth suffer fewer cavities and decay.
- Improve speech and eating. – For some teens, orthodontic needs extend beyond cosmetic needs. If your child struggles to eat or speak because of a bite or tooth alignment problem, orthodontic care offers a solution.
Learn the differences between choosing a dentist or an orthodontist for your orthodontic treatment.
Discuss the various treatment options with your teen
Deciding on the best treatment plan involves an agreement among the team at Hess Orthodontics, you, and your teen.
We want the decision to be a team effort based on the dental needs of your teen. Every smile requires a unique treatment plan — that’s why we offer many care options to suit your specific smile and lifestyle.
- Damon braces – Similar to traditional braces of the past, Damon Braces use a self-ligating wire to place gentle forces on the teeth and move them into optimal placement. However, Damon brackets use a trap door to hold the wire in place, reducing the friction of traditional braces and providing a gentler, easier treatment for your teen. Talk about convenience! Patients love Damon braces because they require fewer visits to our offices.
- Clear braces – Clear braces offer all of the benefits of Damon braces but with transparent brackets. The ceramic material used to make these brackets makes them less visible. Clear braces suit the teen looking for optimal dental health without noticeable brackets.
- Invisalign – Many of our patients love Invisalign because the clear trays adjust their teeth discreetly and enhance their smiles. Some smiles require metal braces to correct more serious dental problems. Invisalign offers a variety of cosmetic improvements while addressing some advanced dental issues. With extensive experience using Invisalign®, we understand how to use aligners to get results others can’t match.
Answer your teenager’s braces questions
Teens feel especially sensitive to changes in their lifestyle, appearance, and comfort. Naturally, they will have questions about how braces will affect them.
Below we’ve listed a few common questions that come up when you’re persuading teens to get braces.
Q: What will people think of the way I look with braces?
Teens care a great deal about the way others perceive them. Reminding your teen that many people wear braces can help them embrace their new look. Show them pictures of other teens and adults wearing braces and people whose smiles transformed with braces.
Q: Will I have to change my diet and hygiene routines?
We recommend giving up hard candy, popcorn, sticky treats, and other foods that might damage your brackets and wires. We will provide a detailed list during your initial appointment.
Brushing your teeth and flossing stays mostly the same, but be gentle with your new appliance.
Learn what you can and can’t drink while wearing your aligners.
Q: Do braces hurt?
With modern advances in braces technology, your teen will experience more comfort during their treatment. Smoother, smaller brackets with smarter archwires that adjust with your teeth make for a gentler smile transformation.
Some brief periods of discomfort may happen during your treatment. Luckily, it’s easy to remedy these feelings. If your teen does experience any irritation during their treatment that seems abnormal, give our offices a call.
Learn how to make braces hurt less.
Q: How long do I have to wear braces, and how often do I need to visit the orthodontist?
While every smile requires a unique amount of care, the average patient wears braces for around 24 months. During this time, your teen will visit our offices every 4-8 weeks for checkups. Our team wants to observe the adjustments and keep the teeth progressing into their proper places.
Your teen will wear a retainer after their braces come off. They should wear the retainer as often as recommended to maintain their beautiful smile.
Learn how often you’ll visit the orthodontist after treatment.
Set your teen up for success
Talk to your teenager about any discomfort they may feel the day their braces are applied.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever before your child’s braces are applied and in the first days of treatment as they adjust to wearing braces.
- Using dental wax to add a protective layer between the teen’s brackets and any sensitive gum or tissue in the mouth
- Eating soft foods like soup, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and ice cream the first few days after getting braces.
- Empower your teen by providing a braces kit filled with a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental wax, a mild painkiller, and any tools they need to take charge of their dental health.
Let us answer your teen’s braces questions
Again, we recognize that convincing your teen to get braces can be really difficult. Our caring staff can share success stories of other patients who faced their fears and transformed their smiles. We can even show your teen the final results of their own treatment in seconds using an advanced computer system.
It’s our passion to provide winning smiles and pristine oral health to the people around us. Schedule an appointment today with the accomplished team at Hess Orthodontics or contact us with additional questions.