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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. 

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