When I was in fifth grade I had to get braces. While it seemed like a huge bummer as a child, I am SO grateful for my parents’ insistence in orthodontic treatment! I can’t imagine what my smile would have looked like if my overbite and crowding hadn’t been taken care of when I was younger.
My mom did her best to make the experience a positive one for me, and it definitely made a difference. I wanted to share some tips to make having braces easier for kids and to help them not only “deal” with braces, but to ROCK that smile!
How to make having braces easier for kids and help them Rock That Smile!
1- Make each visit to the orthodontist a special occasion — For example, have lunch with your child after their appointment (as soon as they are permitted to eat and of course braces-safe food.) A little quality time with you will make the day that much better!
3- Show before/after photos of yourself or their favorite celebrity — Being in front of the camera means that many entertainers have had braces, and thanks to the internet, you can find photos of them before treatment. Even the rich and famous have to get work done like the rest of us! If you personally had braces, show them what your smile looked like with crooked teeth and let them know just how happy you are to have had the work done long in the past!
3- Let them personalize their look — Gone are the days of boring square brackets like we had growing up! With WildSmiles Braces, your child can express themselves with fun shapes like stars, hearts, and even footballs! WildSmiles Braces are available nationwide (the first and only brand that can be purchased directly online), they exceed quality and comfort standards, and have an acceptance rate 25% higher than other braces options for kids age 9-11. Take a look at some of the awesome options WildSmiles has to offer:
Dr. Clarke Stevens, the creator of Wild Smiles Braces, was happy to answer some of my questions about braces in general It has been a couple decades…err, years…since I had braces after all!Â
“Ask the Orthodontist”
When should I take my child to see an orthodontist?
Age seven is an excellent time to have your child evaluated for the first time by an orthodontist. This is the age when the first permanent molars and the incisors should have come in properly. Early evaluation allows for proper diagnosis and treatment, if necessary, of possible risk factors. Orthodontists can determine if there are any problems that may develop in the future, giving the parent and doctor an opportunity to plan future treatment. The American Association of orthodontists Recommends age seven for the first orthodontic consult.
What questions should I ask at the first visit?
- Does my child have any missing or strangely shaped teeth?
- Do the jaws and teeth match with each other?
- Will my child benefit from early treatment? Why?
- Will my child require complete orthodontics later? Why? When?
- Do you have university orthodontic training after your dental school graduation?
How can I make braces more affordable?
The first step is to make sure you see an orthodontist for a treatment plan. Orthodontists are braces specialists that do not treat regular dental patients. Orthodontists receive 2-3 years of specialty training after completing dental school. They have a more efficient system to produce excellent results. This makes the braces treatment cost lower, especially if you consider the shorter time in the office. Orthodontists often offer affordable payment plans.
I know that I would have loved WildSmiles Braces as a kid MUCH more than my plain brackets and I would have probably tried every single design!Do you have a child with braces? What do you do to help make the experience fun for them? I’d love to hear your tips!
For more information or to purchase WildSmiles Braces, visit WildSmilesBraces.com
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by WildSmiles Braces; however, all opinions are 100% mine.
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Jenkins Leroyson says
These are some great ideas to help kids feel better about getting braces. I like the idea of making a visit to the orthodontist something special. Getting lunch or ice cream will help them feel like it’s a good thing and have them feel more comfortable about the whole situation.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
It worked for me! 🙂