Braces: What Preteens AND Parents Need to Know

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My oldest — a teen — just got her braces off. My tween is now sporting upper and lower braces. As I navigate having a child in braces a second time around, here is my list of what parents and kids need to know/do during the orthodontic process.

Instructions for Parents of Preteens with Braces

• Parents of preteens should do research to find an orthodontist. E-mail friends. Chat to moms at school. Find out which orthodontists other people go to. Consult your dental insurance to find in-network providers.
• Call the orthodontist’s office to enquire about insurance coverage, payment plans, office hours, and the orthodontist’s academic credentials and training.
• Talk to preteens about the preteen’s responsibilities during the orthodontic work.
• Schedule a consultation with the orthodontist. At the consultation, the orthodontist will examine the preteen, take a series of panoramic pictures/x-rays, and write up a treatment plan.
• At the orthodontic consultation, the preteen will get a chance to chat with the orthodontist. Your preteen will be wearing the braces/orthodontic device, so the preteen needs to know how important her role is in the orthodontic process.
• After the consultation, you should meet with the orthodontist to discuss the treatment plan. This meeting will usually take place in the orthodontist’s office. The preteen does not need to be present.

Instructions for Preteens with Braces

• Preteens should ask their parents questions about braces. If preteens have an older sibling or have a friend, parents should encourage their preteen to ask questions.
• Preteens should visit an orthodontist at least once before treatment begins, usually at the orthodontic consultation.
• The American Academy of Orthodontics recommends all children have an orthodontic screen by age 7. Your preteen’s dentist will also be able to recommend when your preteen should get an orthodontic consultation.
• Your preteen’s orthodontist will want him to use an electric toothbrush and floss between her teeth with a flosser or proxy brush.
• Once a preteen starts wearing braces, parents of preteens should make sure that preteen is brushing her teeth correctly. My preteen and teen’s orthodontist recommends using an electric toothbrush. The circular motion of the bristles will dislodge food. My preteen and teen use an Oral B electric toothbrush.
• The orthodontist also recommended a Waterpik. I did not know what a Water Pik was, but my teen says that the Waterpik dislodges food trapped between the teeth and behind the brace brackets.

Having braces is a serious business. Kids who are iffy about brushing their teeth before braces might develop cavities if they don’t thoroughly brush their teeth while in braces.

Disclaimer: I am not a dental health professional. For medical/dental advice and treatment plans, always consult a medical/dental professional.

When not fretting about her children’s teeth, Jill blogs at Musings from Me about missing teeth. You can catch her chatting over here about dead batteries.

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