Even if you’ve personally experienced braces, it can be tough to remember what to expect when your child starts their orthodontic journey — life moves on, and many details may fade. You might recall feeling sore after getting them on, but the duration of that discomfort is essential to know as you plan your grocery list, figuring out how much soup and ice cream to stock up on. Additionally, how can you ensure they maintain proper dental hygiene during snacks and meals at school?
Don’t worry: I’m 31 and nearing the end of my 24-month stint with braces, so my memories are still vivid. Here’s what you need to know to help both you and your child get ready for their orthodontic experience.
What to anticipate on the day your child receives braces
The American Association of Orthodontists suggests you prepare your child by discussing the braces process in a positive light and highlighting all the advantages. The application of braces is a painless procedure. An orthodontist’s assistant will first polish and dry your child’s teeth, then affix the brackets using special glue and a UV light (similar to a nail salon experience, but… for your mouth). Your child will need to wear a cheek retractor during this process, which can be somewhat uncomfortable after a while, but it’s manageable.
Once the brackets are securely attached, the orthodontist will insert a wire and trim the ends to prevent any discomfort. Finally, they’ll add rubber bands to each bracket to hold the wire in position. Due to the added tension from the wire, your child will likely experience soreness shortly after their appointment and for a few days following.
How to assist your child in managing pain from braces
After getting my braces, I felt tightness and discomfort throughout my mouth and face within an hour. By the time dinner rolled around a few hours later, chewing was genuinely painful, and this sensation lasted for a couple of days. I advise having plenty of soup stocked in your pantry — no need to chew on chicken and stars — along with mashed potatoes, ice cream, and smoothie ingredients.
In a few days, your child should be able to eat softer foods again. However, they might experience soreness for a day or two after each monthly adjustment, when new wires or power chains (a somewhat intimidating term for interconnected rubber bands that work to close gaps) are added. Taking ibuprofen before the appointment and continuing every four to six hours for the rest of the day helped alleviate my discomfort.
By the midpoint of my treatment, I stopped experiencing pain after appointments. It seemed that most of the major straightening and gap-closing had been completed, and the minor adjustments my orthodontist made didn’t cause much discomfort. Hopefully, your child’s experience will be similar!
What to expect during your child’s first week with braces
Upon leaving the orthodontist with my new braces, I was unexpectedly struck by how uncomfortable I felt emotionally. Having crooked teeth was one thing — mine were severely overcrowded — but the added emphasis from all that shiny metal brought a new level of self-consciousness. If your child is feeling insecure, consider planning a weekend activity that will boost their confidence, such as a new haircut or a pair of shoes they’ve been wanting. Remind them that their teeth will start looking straighter quite quickly and that they’ll soon adjust to the appearance of their braces.
This sentiment may not apply to everyone, but if your child has sensory sensitivities, this is worth noting: After a few days with my braces, I noticed an uptick in my anxiety because I couldn’t remove them. It was a novel sensation that felt inescapable. Engaging in distractions helped my mind adjust to the presence of the braces. Planning outings with your child — such as hanging out with friends or going to a movie — can also divert their attention if they feel similarly.
How to help your child maintain their dental hygiene with braces
To effectively clean around their braces, your child will need some specific tools. A water flosser is effective for blasting out food particles stuck between teeth and brackets, while an orthodontia-friendly floss pick can navigate between teeth and the wire for thorough cleaning. (Your orthodontist may suggest thread flossers, but I found picks to work just as well.)
I also recommend picking up some inexpensive toddler toothbrushes that fit well between the tops of their brackets and gums. The small brush head is perfect for that tight space, and the ultra-soft bristles help prevent any accidental gum irritation. My 3-year-old’s spare Hot Wheels toothbrush has worked well for this purpose.
Although I had never experienced tooth sensitivity before my treatment, I found talking on a breezy day excruciating due to the discomfort on my teeth. Switching to Sensodyne toothpaste made a significant difference. If your child tries this but still feels discomfort, their orthodontist can prescribe a stronger toothpaste available at pharmacies.
Lastly, consider creating a portable care kit for your child to take to school and outside of the house. Here’s what I always keep in mine:
- Floss picks and orthodontic brushes for removing food from braces after meals
- Extra rubber bands
- Wax in case a wire begins to poke
- Antibacterial wipes or hand sanitizer — as dealing with rubber bands and wax necessitates putting hands in the mouth, and sinks may not always be accessible.
While this may seem like a lot to take in at first, your child might initially dislike their braces, if we’re being honest. However, within a few weeks, both of you will find it more manageable, and it turns out that the year or two spent in braces passes by more quickly than you might expect.
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