3 Things You Should Know About Orthodontics for Kids

Posted on December 4, 2023

According to AAO, about 25% of patients who had braces need braces again because they neglected their post-treatment care. If your child needs braces or other orthodontics for kids, you might be looking for a few tips to help your child navigate their treatment to reduce the risk of them needing braces again. Here are a few important things to know when you’ll be dealing with orthodontics for kids.

1. There Will Be Moments of Discomfort

While braces aren’t painful, they can be uncomfortable for one to two days after they’ve been put on or tightened. Help your child get ready for the process by having over-the-counter pain relievers on hand or cold compresses. These will be the most difficult days, but the discomfort won’t last for long.

2. Certain Foods Will Need to Be Avoided

There are a number of different foods that will need to be avoided during your child’s braces treatment. First, be sure to eliminate sugary sodas and chewy candy, like gum and taffy, from their diets. Next, you’ll want to avoid anything chewy, like bagels and taffy. Crunchy food items like celery and popcorn should also be avoided. Remind your child that the situation is temporary, and their new, straight teeth and beautiful smile will make all the inconveniences worthwhile.

3. Keeping All Appointments Is Essential

When you’re not able to make an appointment, it’s important to reschedule it as soon as possible. These appointments are time-sensitive, and if a patient doesn’t reschedule for an extended period of time, it can negatively impact their treatment plan. Most times when an appointment is missed and there’s too much time elapsing between appointments, the overall timeline of the orthodontic treatment will be longer. Remind your child that even if going to the orthodontist causes some discomfort, the more seriously they take their appointments and after-care, the faster their treatment will be over.

Our practice provides orthodontics for kids, teens, and adults. If your child is getting ready for orthodontic treatment, we’re here to help. Contact Chelian Orthodontics today to learn more about our practice and how we can help your child with all their orthodontic needs. We look forward to seeing you soon!