If your teen needs braces, you are probably already hearing complaints. Many teens are embarrassed about wearing braces. Fortunately, there are six ways you can help them feel better about getting their new accessory.
Image credit: Grant Cochrane | FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Before and after
The first thing you need to do is make sure your teen can envision the difference between the current teeth and the teeth once the braces are removed.
Teens are visual learners, so they need to see what the finished product will look like.
Ask the dentist for before and after pictures of other patients. This will give your teen something to look forward to while he or she suffers through the agony of braces. Take a before picture the day the braces are placed to help your teen feel excited about what it will look like when they’re taken off.
Ask other parents
Discreetly ask other teens’ parents if their children will need braces. Your teen might not feel so alone if he or she knows their friends are in the same position and will get braces soon. This will help them not feel as though they are the only teenager in the universe who has to get braces.
Show the celebrities
Take the time to show your teen some pictures of current celebrities before they were rich and famous. Many famous people like Tom Cruise had to have their teeth fixed. Just knowing that even celebrities need work done on their teeth can show your teen that this is perfectly normal.
There are plenty of pictures of bad celebrity teeth online for you to reference.
Check the time line
Another way to help your teen feel better is to check the timeline with the dentist. How long will the braces last? Knowing when they will come off can alleviate your teen’s overexaggerated fears that they will be on forever.
Be there for the crisis
Finally, just being there for the crying and the anger as your teen adjusts to braces can be enough. Instead of ignoring the cries for attention, spend some extra time comforting your teen. They still need you, especially when they’re uncomfortable and their teeth hurt.
Braces are not fun, but they are temporary. The more your teen understands that, the better their relationship with orthodontics will be.
About the Author:
Kara Masterson is a freelance from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing about health, business and finance, and spending time with her dog, Max. For the above article, information credited to York & Bay Dental Office, Orthodontist in Hamilton, ON.
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