6 Tips To Help Overcome Your Child Orthodontist Fears
6 Tips To Help Overcome Your Child Orthodontist Fears
Orthodontic treatment is now so common that many parents are surprised when their child shows anxiety about receiving care. Fear of pain, fear of the application process, and even fear of embarrassment can plague a child who is in line for a treatment plan.
Visiting your specialist
An orthodontist specializes in correcting irregularities in bite, tooth structure, and even the way the jawbone is aligned. In severe cases, these problems can lead to problems with chewing, speaking, and even swallowing.
Correcting these issues with the use of orthodontic hardware is essential for the restoration of a patient’s smile and confidence. These specialists help to treat patients in ways that restore both functionality and cosmetic appearance of their smiles.
How can we help our kids overcome their fears?
To help ease anxiety and fear surrounding their next appointment, consider implementing the following strategies for a more enjoyable experience:
1. Talk through the appointment
Set your child up for success by talking about what they can expect from the appointment. Do what you can to explain the kinds of procedures they might experience, and answer questions that they may have about pain, discomfort, and how orthodontic hardware might feel once it has been installed.
The more information they have, the more likely they will be to feel at ease when they attend their appointment.
2. Practice good oral hygiene at home
Prior to their appointment, your child will need to be taking care of teeth in ways that help to prevent tooth decay and degeneration.
Installation of braces and other orthodontic hardware generally works best if done on teeth that are healthy and strong; it further complicates procedures if your care team has to work with teeth that are compromised or weakened in some way.
Brush, floss, and make regular visits to your dentist regularly to ensure that your teeth are in good shape for installation.
3. Arrange a pre-visit visit
It might calm your child orthodontist fears a bit if you arrange a meet-and-greet with their orthodontic care team; visiting the office, seeing some of the procedures taking place, and having a chance to ask questions and see what to expect may do wonders for calming some pre-braces jitters.
Make sure you schedule this visit at a time when a doctor or technician will be available to give you a tour and answer questions you and your child may have.
4. Bring along items of comfort
Depending on your child’s age, you might want to allow them to bring along some items of comfort with them to either distract or comfort them when things get tough.
Pre-teens may favor technology, while younger children will jump at the chance to bring a favored blanket or stuffed animal to make the visit more comfortable.
5. Talk to others who have had braces installed
You may have friends, neighbors, and relatives who have had braces installed. There is something very comforting about talking to someone who has “been there, done that”.
While every experience is unique to the individual, hearing from others that the process wasn’t painful, caring for braces and other orthodontic equipment is easy and that they are actually fun to wear will be enormously comforting for your child.
Schedule some of these conversations with your experienced braces wearers, and watch the anxiety and fear about the process literally melt away.
Look forward to a healthy and strong smile!
The reward that comes from taking care of your teeth—this includes receiving treatment that includes braces and other orthodontia—-is well worth any minor inconveniences that may be experienced during treatment time.
The orthodontic protocol is an expected part of comprehensive dental care, and patients should be grateful that they have the opportunity to restore and recreate the appearance of those beautiful smiles!
If your child has fears about visiting an orthodontist, Please schedule an appointment with our Doctor to discuss further.