Braces can correct many dental issues, including crooked teeth, gaps, and bite problems. However, getting these dental appliances is a big commitment that can seem intimidating to teens unfamiliar with them. Alleviate your child's anxieties by letting them know what they can expect after their procedure.

3 Ways Braces Affect Your Teen

1. Dietary Changes

After getting braces, some foods will no longer be suitable to consume. These items include hard and sticky treats like popcorn, chewing gum, and candy. Such snacks can damage or dislodge the brackets and wires, so your teen should stick to softer foods like pasta, soups, yogurt, and boiled vegetables. Your child could also have to make changes to their eating habits. For example, they should cut food into smaller pieces and chew slowly.

2. New Dental Care Habits

Braces can make it difficult for an adolescent to clean their teeth. If they ease up on their dental care routine due to the brackets and wires, bacteria can accumulate and cause gum disease, cavities, and bad breath.

Fortunately, some special tools can help your child maintain a healthy smile. Interdental brushes and floss threaders make cleaning between the teeth and brackets easier, helping eliminate plaque buildup. Your teen should brush their teeth after every meal and floss daily to remove any food particles stuck in their braces.

3. Uncomfortable Sensations

Your teen could experience some discomfort and pain for a moment after getting braces. That's because these dental appliances gradually move the teeth into the desired position, which can cause pressure and soreness. Slight pain in the jaw and gums can also develop. The discomfort typically lasts a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen.

Your teen can maintain a healthy smile after getting braces by regularly visiting Carolyn B. Crowell, DMD & Associates, in Avon, OH. Besides providing orthodontic and general pediatric dentistry services, this team is committed to creating a comfortable environment for children. Learn more about their comprehensive orthodontic solutions online, and call (440) 934-0149 for an appointment.