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5 Ways to Help Your Teen Adjust to Braces

teen braces

We all know that teen life is complicated — and adding braces into the mix can often feel downright unthinkable! That’s why it’s important to make it as comfortable as possible for your teen to adjust to their new brace-wearing situation. Here are a few tips to make wearing braces easier for them — and you!

 

We are here to help your teen achieve a beautiful smile!

Call us at 956-621-7907, or complete the form below

for a FREE, no-obligation consultation!

 

1. Do Your Research

Find out everything you can about the kinds of challenges your teen might face during treatment with braces. This will help you give your teen the proper guidance on how to take care of their braces and their teeth. It helps if you’ve had braces yourself because you can relate to what they’re going through. But even if you never experienced braces, you can learn more about what to expect. Here are a few things to know:

  • It’s important that your teen’s gums and teeth are healthy before we fit braces onto them. So, you’ll want to make an appointment with your dentist to get a routine clean and check-up, as well as fill any cavities if needed.
  • We usually recommend that you wait to whiten teeth until after braces have been removed, as some patients may notice some minimal tooth discoloration after the removal of the brackets. This also includes using non-whitening toothpaste.
  • It will take a few days for your teen’s mouth and tongue to get used to having braces, so we encourage you to purchase some orthodontic dental wax prior to your teen’s appointment. Your teen can place the wax over the brackets anywhere they might rub up against their mouth. This will help prevent any sore spots.
  • Have over-the-counter pain medicine available, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, so your teen can take it to lessen tooth pain.
  • Braces and wires in the mouth can create hiding places for plaque, so encourage your teen to brush after each time they eat. They should also carry a toothbrush with them so they can quickly brush if they’re away from home.

2. Plan and Prepare

Now that you’ve done your research, take your teen shopping to stock up on the things they’ll need for their oral hygiene and for any sensitivity or pain. This should include:

  • two new soft toothbrushes — one for home and one to carry with them
  • floss threaders
  • non-whitening toothpaste
  • orthodontic wax
  • over-the-counter pain reliever
  • interproximal brushes

You’ll also want to stock up on soft foods, cold drinks, and ingredients to make smoothies. Your teen’s teeth will be sensitive right after the doctor puts on the braces, so having these softer foods available will be a big help.

And encourage your teen to take a “before” selfie! This will help them track their progress. And once we remove their braces, your teen can compare their new, beautiful smile to where it was when they began their orthodontic journey.

3. Listen and Support

Adjusting to braces can be tough for your teen, so it’s vital to listen and support them through the process. If they’re having a bad day or feeling frustrated, take the time to hear their concerns and find a way to help them. If they’re embarrassed or uncomfortable with their braces, remind them of the outcome: a beautiful, straight, healthy smile.

And if your teen mentions an unusual pain or discomfort, pay attention. It may not be serious, but sometimes they might need an adjustment or for someone to look at their braces to ensure nothing has come loose. In that case, contact our office right away, and we will take care of it.

Behavioral reinforcement is another great way to support your teen. If they follow Dr. Taylor’s instructions, let them know how proud you are of them. And each time they hit a milestone in their treatment, reward them by doing something fun together.

4. Provide a Healthy Diet

When your teen gets their braces, they will have to adjust to a new way of eating. They can’t continue to munch on the foods they used to enjoy, like chewy foods, popcorn, candy, nuts, and so on.

Ideally, you’ll want to remove the problematic foods from your home, so your teen isn’t tempted. But that’s not always possible, so make sure you set the ground rules and let them know why it’s so important to steer clear of these foods — at home and when they’re away from home!

Plus, if you provide a healthy, balanced diet and make meals your teen can easily eat (and that the whole family will enjoy), this will help a great deal. This includes packing lunches that are filled with healthy, easy-to-eat foods.

5. Focus on the Positives

If you approach the braces experience with a positive, excited attitude, it will go a long way to easing your teen’s anxiety. Whenever your teen feels discouraged (“I’m going to have these braces forever“), remind them of the bigger picture and help them see how much they’ll gain from their experience.

If your teen is feeling self-conscious, remind them of how many of their classmates also have braces. You can also show them some before and after pictures and read them a few testimonials where people were thrilled with their results after getting their braces off. And share a few pictures of celebrities who wore braces to achieve their beautiful smiles!

We are Here for You and Your Teen!

Whether you’ve already decided on braces for your teen or haven’t yet made that decision, we are here to help. It begins with a free consultation, including x-rays, photos, and a complete examination by Dr. Taylor. During your consultation, will answer your questions, discuss your treatment and payment options, and take the time to ensure you are comfortable and confident with your teen’s orthodontic process.

We are here to help your teen achieve a beautiful smile!

Call us at 956-621-7907, or complete the form below

for a FREE, no-obligation consultation!

We service McAllen and its surrounding areas. 

 

Contact Us

We are always happy to hear from you. If you have a question or would like a no-charge consultation, jet send us your information and one of our highly trained orthodontic staff will be in touch with you!

  •  

Call us at 956-621-7907, or complete the form below now!

Contact Us

We are always happy to hear from you. If you have a question or would like a no-charge consultation, jet send us your information and one of our highly trained orthodontic staff will be in touch with you!

Filed Under: Braces, General Tagged With: braces, Dr. David Taylor, McAllen TX, teen braces, teenager July 29, 2022 By Anne Hill Leave a Comment

12 Potential Causes of Crooked Teeth (Some of Them Might Surprise You!)

crooked teethWhy do some people have crooked teeth, and some don’t? It can be a mystery, but it doesn’t need to be. And genetics can undoubtedly play a role—but that’s only one potential cause of crooked teeth.

Crooked or misaligned teeth are common in children and adults. And many people have no issues with their crooked teeth. However, dental misalignment can often affect overall health, and that’s when corrective actions are vital.

In this post, we’ll discuss 12 reasons teeth can move out of place, when this is (and isn’t) a cause for concern, and what you can do about it.

 

Interested in a Free, No-obligation Consultation?

We service McAllen and its Surrounding Areas.

Call us at 956-621-7907, or complete the form below now!

 

Causes of Crooked Teeth

1. Genetics

If your parents and grandparents had crooked teeth, it’s likely you do, too. As another example, if you inherited large teeth from your mother and a small jaw from your father, you can end up with teeth that don’t fit and become crooked.

2. Malocclusion

This happens when your upper and lower teeth don’t align when you close your mouth. This can be genetic (as noted above) when your teeth are too crowded for your mouth. But malocclusion can also happen for other reasons, such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and tooth loss.

3. Prolonged thumb-sucking/pacifier use

crooked teethWhile thumb sucking/pacifier use ends typically within a few months, some children keep this habit up for far longer. This pressure from the thumb or pacifier on the gums can cause teeth to grow in crooked.

4. Tongue thrusting

This happens when the tongue hits against the front teeth or comes out between the front teeth when you swallow or talk. While this is most common in infants and children, it can continue into adulthood.

5. Mouth breathing

You may not have ever thought of this—after all, how much damage can air do? However, when children breathe through the mouth for long periods, it can also cause misalignment of teeth.

6. Early loss of primary (baby) teeth

At around age six, children will begin to lose their baby teeth. When a child loses a tooth earlier than this, it can cause other teeth to shift into the open space and new teeth to grow in crooked.

crooked teeth7. Poor dental hygiene

If children don’t practice good dental hygiene from the day they can hold a toothbrush, this can lead to gingivitis and eventually periodontitis. This severe form of gum disease affects the way teeth grow out.

8. Malnutrition

A balanced diet is vital for proper tooth and bone development. Poor nutrition can lead to crooked teeth because the body doesn’t have enough nutrients to help teeth grow properly.

9. Childhood facial injury

When a child has a severe injury to the face, this can cause the jaw to shift its position. It can also result in tooth loss. And both things can lead to teeth growing in crooked.

10. Poor- or improper-fitting dental work

When you have a crown, bridge, or filling that doesn’t fit properly, it can have a negative impact on your bite. This can cause pain and misaligned teeth.

11. Not replacing missing permanent teeth

As with baby teeth, when a permanent tooth is lost and not replaced, it can leave a gap in the gum line, which will cause a shift in the other teeth. That’s why it’s vital to replace a missing tooth with an implant or bridge.

12. Natural changes with age

When we age, our teeth naturally shift as our bite deepens. This can cause teeth to become crooked, even if you’ve never worn braces or Invisalign before.

Problems from Misalignment of Teeth

Now that you know how many things can cause your teeth to go out of alignment, let’s dive into what can happen as a result:

Gum Disease: When your teeth are crowded or crooked, it can be hard to clean them properly. That can lead to plaque, tooth decay, and eventually, gum disease.

crooked teethExcessive Wear and Tear: With a misalignment in your teeth, they can start to deteriorate. And when that wear and tear becomes excessive, it can lead to TMJ (temporomandibular jaw disorder) and the pain and discomfort that go with it.

Chewing Difficulties: Crowded or crooked teeth can make chewing difficult. This can lead to digestive problems.

Difficulty Speaking: One of the most common effects of crooked teeth is speech difficulties, particularly problems pronouncing certain words.

Low Self Esteem: Our smile is an important reflection of our personality. That’s why people with misaligned teeth may have increased self-esteem issues.

How to Fix Crooked Teeth

So, do you always have to fix crooked teeth? The short answer is no. However, this needs a bit more explanation.

crooked teethIf your child’s teeth aren’t straight, this may not be an issue. In fact, if your child has spaces between their baby teeth, this can be a good thing since the permanent teeth will take up more room once they come through. However, if your child has crowded baby teeth, their permanent teeth will likely also be crowded.

Per the American Association of Orthodontists, children should have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. That’s because certain issues may be easier to correct if they’re found early. So, if you have any questions at all about your child’s teeth and their potential misalignment, we highly recommend setting up an appointment for a free consultation with Dr. Taylor, our board-certified orthodontist. He can recommend the correct treatment at the appropriate time and prevent any complications that could come up later.

We now have a wide variety of treatment options for crooked teeth. These can include:

Braces

We offer many different types of braces, so you can be sure to get the ones that are best for you.

  • Traditional Braces: Traditional braces are a combination of wire, elastic bands, and plastic brackets that are fitted onto your teeth. Traditional metal brackets, made of stainless steel or titanium, are now much smaller and flatter, making them less noticeable and more comfortable.
  • Gold Braces: Gold braces are a trendy and aesthetic option—like jewelry for your teeth! The brackets and the connecting wires are gold, adding an aesthetic flair to your smile. However, they function just like traditional braces.
  • Clear Braces: Clear braces are much less noticeable than traditional metal braces. They offer a fantastic aesthetic alternative for patients seeking options other than traditional metal braces.

Invisalign

A fantastic alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign straightens your teeth without the look of metal braces. They are almost invisible, can be easily removed for eating, and will not irritate the inside of your mouth as metal braces can. And they really will straighten your teeth just as well as regular braces when administered by a trained orthodontist.

Dr. Taylor is an Elite Invisalign Provider with years of experience, so you will get the best possible treatment. We offer Invisalign for both adults and teens.

 

No matter whether you choose braces or Invisalign, we are here to help you achieve a beautiful smile!

Call us at 956-621-7907, or complete the form below now for a FREE, no-obligation consultation!

We service McAllen and its surrounding areas. 

Contact Us

We are always happy to hear from you. If you have a question or would like a no-charge consultation, jet send us your information and one of our highly trained orthodontic staff will be in touch with you!

 

Filed Under: Braces, General, Invisalign Tagged With: braces, causes of crooked teeth, crooked teeth, Dr. David Taylor, Invisalign, McAllen TX April 19, 2022 By Anne Hill Leave a Comment

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