Not all kids are happy about wearing, especially teens. If teeth are slowly erupting, a problem develops during a pubertal growth spurt, permanent teeth don’t erupt properly, or finances are an issue, your child may not be a happy camper. Wearing braces between the ages of 11-14 is the most common age for treatment and normally the age of least resistance in most cases. However, after that, be prepared for opposition.
Your first discussion sets the stage for how your child accepts or rejects the news they require treatment at Wilson Orthodontics. Allowing your apprehension and fears to surface can impact how your child responds.
Many different types of braces are available that will suit your child’s personalized needs and reduce apprehension. Clear braces and Invisalign may be an option. Plus treatment time and discomfort are much less than in years past. However, a child’s personal perception of orthodontic treatment can make them believe otherwise. For this reason, it is important to be upbeat, positive, and supportive when they receive the news they may need treatment.
Focusing on the pros of undergoing treatment, such as a beautiful smile and improved dental health rather than the discomfort, inconvenience, and negative social stigma provides the best results. Proper orientation by parents and our team creates a positive response when informing a child that orthodontic treatment is in their best interest.
At your child’s first visit to Wilson Orthodontics, we will explain everything they need to know about their problem, why they need braces to improve the situation, and what type of braces are recommended. We do our best to put your child at ease, answer all their questions, and make them feel at home in our office. If your child has questions before the appointment you can’t answer, be honest: “I don’t know that, let’s ask Dr. Michael J. Wilson during the appointment”.
Wearing braces today is very common and you want your child to be excited about the treatment as well as understanding the importance of the cooperation required to create a beautiful smile. By the end of the appointment, our goal is to make your child jazzed about treatment rather than upset with the prospect of wearing braces. When offering positive feedback throughout the process, your child will be motivated every step of the way, making treatment as painless as possible while creating a good result.
If you have any concerns prior to the first visit that you feel may impact a negative response from your child, contact our Durham or Oxford office so we can discuss them beforehand. Communication is the key to success on all levels. Let’s all work together to make your child’s initiation to orthodontics a good one.