Use It, But Please Don’t Lose It
Do you have a child who is receiving orthodontic care and are concerned because they are not as responsible as you would like with their oral care and orthodontic hardware? Wearing orthodontics, especially removable hardware, comes with a certain level of responsibility for our patients of all ages. Many parents are concerned with their children losing certain hardware, and to be fair, we have the same concern with our adult patients as well. We want to share some tips to help our youth patients develop good habits in keeping track of orthodontic hardware. Continue reading to learn these tips.
Tips for Helping young Patients Develop Good Habits
We know that orthodontic care comes with a certain level of responsibility that can be challenging at times for our young patients. It is important to speak with your child during the course of their orthodontic journey about being responsible with their hardware. If you are wearing braces, this responsibility includes eating the proper foods and cleaning your braces properly. As you transition to a treatment that includes removable hardware, such as a retainer, it can be more challenging not to misplace, lose, or break the hardware. We want to share some useful tips to help them on their journey:
Set Expectations
When your child starts orthodontic care or receives hardware, such as a retainer, we explain what our expectations are with the treatment. We explain how long they need to wear the appliance, what they can and cannot do while wearing the appliance, and the importance of proper care. It is helpful when the same message is reiterated at home to be sure that we are all on the same page.
Choose a Bold Case
When patients are wearing removable hardware, the biggest concern is losing or throwing out the container. It is wise to get a case that is big and colorful. Using stickers or other objects to make it stand out is also a good idea.
Set a Reward System
Some of our patients are on the younger side, and a reward system may be beneficial to provide the incentive for them to be responsible. The reward system doesn’t need to last long, and it can consist of simple rewards like extra screen time or playing a favorite game as a family.
If you have any questions about orthodontic care for you or your family or you’re experiencing an emergency, such as a lost retainer or clear aligners, be sure to contact our office located in Southfield, MI and we will be happy to help!