Braces come with a lot of questions. Some of these questions and worries are spoken, and some are not. Your teen might be wondering how it’ll feel, what they’ll be able to eat, or if their friends will notice. You might be trying to figure out how to make the process easier without turning braces into a big deal.
Dr. Mahlmann and Dr. Borders at Mahlmann and Borders Orthodontics can offer your family clear and grounded guidance. A little prep before the first appointment can make a big difference in how your teen handles the transition.
Start with an Honest Conversation
Don’t jump straight to, “It’ll be fine.” If your teen’s hesitant or frustrated, let them feel that. Then, talk it through together. Not in a “let me explain everything to you” way, but more like, “what are you thinking about this?”
From there, you can share the why as they move forward with braces. Straight teeth look great. However, they also make brushing easier, keep their bite from causing issues later, and prevent headaches (literally and metaphorically). When they feel like they’re part of the decision, and not just being told what to do. It makes a difference. They might still be nervous, but it won’t feel like something is happening to them.
Paint a Realistic Picture of the First Appointment
You don’t need to sugarcoat it. They’re about to spend more time in a dental chair than usual. It might feel a little weird at first. Keep in mind, though, that weird doesn’t mean bad.
The brackets get glued on, the wire gets threaded through, and the elastic bands are where it can get fun. They can choose their colors and have a little fun with their treatment. The whole process doesn’t hurt. It just feels new.
A few hours later, the soreness might kick in. It’s like that feeling after a tough workout when you didn’t know you had those muscles. Not unbearable, but enough to need some Tylenol and soft foods for a couple of days.
Prep Like You’re Packing for a Comfort-Only Weekend
Don’t wait until the brackets are already on to grab what you need. A quick pit stop at the store ahead of time can make those first few days a lot easier. Here’s what actually helps:
- Yogurt, applesauce, and mashed potatoes are great options to eat. Anything they can eat without chewing, like they’re in a jaw workout, is ideal.
- Wax for those rogue brackets that like to poke
- A travel toothbrush and floss threaders for on-the-go cleanup
- Lip balm (seriously, dry lips sneak up fast after a longer appointment)
- Over-the-counter pain relief, just in case
The more comfortable they are in those first 48 hours, the less dramatic the adjustment feels, and the less likely you’ll be stuck fielding every five-minute complaint.
Cleaning is the New Chore No One Asked For
Even if your teen’s been pretty good about brushing, braces change everything. They will need to angle their brush more, use threaders to floss, and clean around brackets with tiny brushes that somehow always disappear. Here’s how to make it doable:
- Get them a good electric toothbrush (bonus if it has a timer)
- Put the flossers where they’ll actually see them, so they are not buried in a drawer
- Use reminders on their phone to keep it from becoming a battle
- Normalize the fact that this takes longer now. It’s not “being slow,” it’s just part of the deal
They will figure out a system that works. It just takes some time, and probably a few missed spots, before they believe you.
Let Them Be Annoyed Without Rushing to Fix It
Your teen might not love having braces. That’s okay. They might feel awkward at school, worried about photos, or just irritated that gum is suddenly off-limits. Try not to jump in with “it’ll be worth it” every time.
Instead, just listen. Acknowledge that it’s kind of a pain and also temporary. If they’re nervous, someone will tease them, remind them how common braces are now. If someone does say something, don’t be afraid to talk to the school. Braces aren’t a reason to lose confidence.
Don’t cancel their plans or tell them to sit things out. They can still sing, play sports, laugh out loud, and do everything they were doing before.
Start with a Team That Gets It
Dr. Mahlmann and Dr. Borders are personable and pay attention to how your teen feels walking into the room and leaving it. The team at Mahlmann and Borders Orthodontics in Richmond keeps things clear, calm, and focused on what
If you’ve been thinking about scheduling an appointment or want to talk through what treatment might look like, now’s a good time to get started with a free consultation.