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.
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.
Some of the hot topics to cover when convincing your teen to get braces can include
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.
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.
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.
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.
Talk to your teenager about any discomfort they may feel the day their braces are applied.
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.