Getting braces is an exciting and overwhelming life event for any person, but especially for teenagers. A supportive, encouraging parent can make a tremendous difference in a young person properly caring for their orthodontic appliances, while helping them stay as confident as possible. If you are the parent of a teen with braces, check out these simple tips to make the process a bit easier for them.

Prepare Braces-friendly Meals

One of the hardest aspects of wearing braces for young people is changing their diet. Before braces, they could consume anything they wanted, but with them, they must think before they eat. To take some of the pressure off of meal-time, prepare snacks and lunches that are easy to eat, leaving out anything particularly hard, chewy, or high in sugar. This is especially important when they first get braces or their braces are adjusted since their mouths will be tender.

Provide a Reusable Water Bottle

Remind your teen to bring a reusable water bottle with them wherever they go. This will encourage them to lessen the number of sweet drinks they consume, as well as help them rinse any food and bacteria left behind between meals.

Keep an Orthodontic Kit on Hand

Giving your teen a travel-sized orthodontic kit to keep in their backpack will certainly come in handy while they’re sporting their braces. Be sure to include a compact mirror, miniature toothbrush and toothpaste, a collapsible cup for rinsing, and orthodontic wax. This will make sure that no matter where they are, their braces and teeth can stay in tip-top shape.

Be Understanding

You may feel like you’re already showing your teen plenty of support in regard to their oral health, but taking the time to carefully listen to their concerns about their mouth can help them feel more at ease throughout their experience. If they complain about the discomfort or inconvenience that sometimes comes with wearing braces, remind them that you care and how wonderful the end result of a beautiful, more functional smile will be.

For all of your teen’s orthodontic questions, concerns, and needs, York Mills Orthodontics is here to help. Our trusted staff is committed to providing excellent orthodontic care to the families of North York, Toronto. Contact us today to book your teen’s free consultation. We can’t wait to help them smile bright!

– The York Mills Orthodontics Team