Tips To Help Teen Adjust To Having Braces At School
Orthodontic treatment may involve a variety of options including a palatal expander and braces, which will require a period of adjustment no matter the age of the patient. If your teenager has recently started wearing braces, they may worry about going to school with this orthodontic treatment affecting their smile. Considering the cost of treatment can be as high as $7,000 for some patients, you will want your teen to take good care of their braces even when they are at school. Here are a few tips to ensure your teen can handle the emotional and physical changes of wearing braces.
Importance
Your teen should be capable of understanding the importance of this orthodontic treatment. They may not be pleased, but you should continuously communicate with them about why braces are necessary.
Discuss how well their smile will be improved after treatment. Treatment will repair crooked teeth that are growing haphazardly in the mouth while realigning an issue that affects their bite, such as an overbite, underbite, or crossbite.
While surprising for most teens to learn, misaligned bites affect the appearance as well as their ability to speak and chew properly. Without treatment, a misaligned bite can lead to pain and discomfort as they grow older.
Maintenance
At home, you will be able to guide your teenager through the process of maintaining their braces. At school, your teen will need to be responsible enough to care for their braces and teeth without your guidance.
The best way to help your teen when they are at school is to pack a bag of supplies that they can use while away from home. Here are a few tools to include:
- Orthodontic toothbrush or miniature disposable toothbrushes
- Small tube of toothpaste ( toothpaste is included in disposable toothbrushes)
- Flossing picks
- Small mirror
- Orthodontic wax
- Small package of orthodontic bands (if they are at the stage of wearing the rubber bands)
- Water bottle
Your teen should excuse themselves to the restroom after eating lunch. They should brush their teeth and floss, removing any food and residue that has built up on the teeth. The flossing picks can be used to remove food lingering under and in between the wires and brackets of the braces.
Certain pieces of the metal braces can irritate the gums, so make sure your teen has wax to place on the gum tissue to create a protective cushion.
Drinking enough water is also important for your teenager, so they should always carry a bottle of water with them. Drinking water keeps your teen hydrated, but it also helps rinse food, residue, and bacteria out of the mouth.
Wearing braces may seem challenging, but it is definitely something your teen can handle. With proper communication and the right tools, your teen's orthodontic treatment does not have to be stressful or overwhelming when at school.
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