Fear of Children Having Dental Braces

Most people know that getting braces can be a stressful experience. Children are particularly vulnerable to the anxiety of contemplating about having braces. A child may have many things in his mind such as what would his friends say if they see him with braces or would the braces be uncomfortable as what some of his more knowledgeable buddies say. A child worrying about the emotional and physical consequences and discomforts of having braces may end up not getting one, after all. This isn’t a particularly good thing, especially if the child needs the braces to correct dental problems. You can visit Sure Smile’s clinic in Coopers Plains if you’re looking for a clinic dental practice.

Most children worry about getting teased for having braces. Terms such as “brace-face” and “metal-mouth” are probably tormenting a child every time he thinks about the day when he will have braces installed on his teeth. The parents should calm their child down and address the source of the stress. They also should focus on the positive outcomes of the procedure like perfect tooth alignment and proper chewing and biting patterns with encouraging statements like, “Your friends will envy your perfect teeth” or “You will look better when you have the perfect smile.” Parents should also point out the stylistic advantages of having braces specially colored metal braces by saying, “Having braces are all the rave nowadays.”

Parents should inform their children about what to expect when they have their braces on realistically. They should answer questions like “What does it feel like to have braces?” and “Will I be able to eat my favorite food?” truthfully so children won’t expect too much. They should also address issues like what happens if the braces break or how many times you and your child would have to visit the orthodontist. If both parents don’t know the answers to these questions, they should ask more informed individuals themselves so they can relay the proper answer to their child.

Addressing your child’s fears and questions should be prioritized before even thinking about getting him dental braces. Parents should be well-informed about the recent advances in orthodontics and the different types of braces available for his child.

Some child psychology experts advise that the day for getting braces to be made into a kind of “day of celebration.” Make it as painless for the child as possible, and one thing a parent can do to lessen a child’s anxiety is to make the day a milestone. The parents should also make sure that the child is as comfortable as possible when he is being subjected to preliminary procedures. Taking plaster impressions of the mouth is very uncomfortable for the child since the plaster used is hot, and the mouth is open for a long time.

The best thing that parents can do for their child is being there for him every step of the way. Having braces installed on a child’s teeth can be a harrowing experience. In these kinds of situations, the child needs to know that his parents are with him and will be there for him to give him everything he needs to make the dental procedure successful.