Do you have a teenager who has or who need braces? Are you worried that they won't provide the proper amount of care and maintenance? Braces are an important part of dental health for many kids. They can correct tooth alignment issues, which will give your kids a better smile and more self-confidence. However, having braces isn't always easy. Your child may not be able to eat certain foods and may need to drop bad habits like biting fingernails or chewing on their pencil or pen. He or she will also need to diligently brush and floss. If you're worried about whether your child can stick to these rules, consider using some of these tips:
Give them the tools they need. Brushing and flossing can be hard with braces. Many teens aren't disciplined about brushing and flossing anyways. Adding braces to the mix sometimes give them more incentive not to do it. You can help by making brushing and flossing easier for them. Get your child a soft-bristled toothbrush. These brushes often have smaller, thinner bristles that can get in and around the metal wiring.
Also, you may want to get them a water flosser or water pick. These devices blast small, high-powered streams of water into the teeth, which helps to remove plaque, food, and other bacteria. Many teenagers find the water picks to be fun to use. You kid may enjoy using the water pick as an alternative to traditional floss.
Give them a goal. Ultimately, having a braces can be a valuable lesson in self-discipline. You can use this as an opportunity for your child to learn the value of taking care of something to reach a long-term goal. You may want to set a goal chart and record every time that they brush or floss. Then incorporate those actions into their weekly allowance. You could also set a long-term goal and tell them they'll get a gift or monetary prize if the braces come off by an expected date. That will help them avoid destructive behavior like chewing on their pen cap or eating bad foods.
Get their orthodontist involved. If nothing else works, you may need to get their orthodontist in the conversation. Sometimes teens don't want to listen to parents, but will listen to other authority figures. Your orthodontist can explain that poor maintenance and destructive chewing may require the braces to stay on longer than originally needed. Most kids want the braces off as soon as possible. Hearing this news from the orthodontist could be a wake-up call.
For more information, talk to your child's orthodontist. He or she can provide other tips to help you and your child take proper care of the braces.
Share27 March 2015
The average dentist takes many client appointments each day and also deals with emergency situations on a regular basis. Dental emergencies are very common because people are likely to put off having tooth pain fixed until the pain becomes unbearable. Some people have anxiety about dental visits, and others are trying to avoid the expense of dental care. In either case, the end result is often a dental emergency. I have worked as a professional dental hygienist for many years and have seen all types of dental emergencies. I hope that this blog will help people identify potential emergencies before they become too serious and will allow people to know when to get help.
