Is your child preparing for his or her first visit to an orthodontist? Our Hillsborough, NC, orthodontist wants them to feel confident that their upcoming appointment will be enjoyable and comfortable. To help with this, our team at Wilson Orthodontics has two fun, printable word puzzles that you can play with your child to help them get excited about their visit!
Download Free Crossword & Word Search Activities from Our Hillsborough, NC, Orthodontist
Whether your child is aged 7 or 8 and heading in for a routine early evaluation, or whether they are between 10 and 12 years and about to be evaluated for braces, our fun puzzles can be a great way to educate them about some of the words they might hear during their appointment. Younger kids will likely need their parent’s help with the crossword puzzle, which means these can be a fun bonding activity for you and your loved ones, too!
Download Our “Smile Time” Word Search & Crossword
Our Hillsborough, NC, orthodontist recommends you start with our word search, which can help your child learn some unfamiliar words, such as aligner, bracket, and archwire. While you play together, you can explain what these words mean, too. Doing this can help take the mystery out of braces for your child.
Click here to download our FREE Word Search Puzzle!
Click here to download our FREE Crossword Puzzle!
A Quick Guide to Common Orthodontic Words from our Hillsborough, NC, Orthodontist
Don’t know what all the words in our puzzles mean? Don’t worry! We’ll explain a few of the harder ones here, so you can sound like an expert when your child needs a hint.
Bracket
The word “bracket” refers to the small metal or ceramic pieces that get glued to the front of each tooth. In fact, the words “brackets” and “braces” are interchangeable – that’s how “braces” got their name!
Archwire
Once brackets are glued to each tooth, a wire (the archwire) connects them to each other. The wire gently pulls on the brackets as it gradually straightens. This pressure is what makes braces do their job of straightening teeth.
Elastics
Elastics (rubber bands) are sometimes used to attach the archwire to the brackets. Some styles of braces use elastics, while others don’t. Want to know more? Our Hillsborough orthodontist can tell you more about these differences during your child’s appointment.
Aligner
A newer form of orthodontics has provided a great alternative to braces. For patients who dislike the idea of visible braces or who want more convenience with their treatment, they can get treatment with Invisalign aligners – clear plastic pieces that fit over your teeth much like a mouthguard. Our orthodontist in Hillsborough, NC, can tell you more about Invisalign, too, if you are intrigued.
Retainer
Whether your child uses braces or Invisalign aligners, they will most likely need a retainer after treatment is over. By wearing a removable retainer after treatment, your child can ensure their teeth don’t return to their older, crooked position.
Ready to Put Your New Vocabulary to Use? Schedule an Appointment with Our Hillsborough, NC, Orthodontist Today!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other orthodontics-related topics, feel free to contact Wilson Orthodontics, with a convenient orthodontic office location near Hillsborough, NC, by clicking here or by calling 919.383.7423.