Preparing Your Child For Their First Orthodontic Experience

Similar to your child’s first time visiting the orthodontist, their first orthodontic appointment can be nerve-racking and the expectations may be somewhat unclear to a new patient. At The Best Braces, we want each and every patient, no matter their age, to feel welcome and comfortable from the moment they walk through the doors. While we recommend that children visit our office for their first visit starting approximately at the age of seven, we know that we have children of every age visiting us for the first time.

Preparing for the Consultation

Most children have seen braces before and understand the concept, but it doesn’t make the first visit any less intimidating. In most cases, the process for children includes a consultation before the start of any treatment. We wanted to share some of the steps that will be taken during the consultation to help everyone feel more comfortable:

• Meet the orthodontist and members of the orthodontic team
• Various X-rays and pictures of the head and face will be taken
• An oral exam to evaluate the bite, placement of the teeth and more
• Discuss treatment options if any are needed

Preparing for Hardware Application

When patients of any age are preparing to receive orthodontic hardware for the first time, it can feel a bit scary. Young patients almost always feel anxious because they have heard stories from friends or other family members who may have experienced difficulties. There are some fun pre-orthodontic activities that you can do with your child (or that you can even try as an adult) before they begin their orthodontic journey:

Take Progress Pictures
While wearing braces or other orthodontic hardware, it can be difficult to see the progress and changes to your smile when you look at yourself daily. Take a picture of your smile before treatment begins and then every few months during treatment to see the changes to not only your smile, but to the jaw placement as well.

Have One Last Meal
Unfortunately, one of the downsides of many types of orthodontic care is the food restrictions. Many foods are limited as a way to ensure that orthodontic hardware remains intact while treatment is underway. Enjoying one last meal or an entire day of restricted favorites could be a fun way to say goodbye to some favorite foods for the next many months.

If you are located in the Southfield, MI area and have any questions about orthodontic care or need to schedule a consultation for yourself or a loved one, be sure to contact our office to schedule an appointment! We look forward to working with you and your loved ones soon!