It's easy enough to explain the concept of dental braces to a young child who might need them. They're simply something that must be worn on the teeth for a while, and when they're removed, your child will have a beautiful smile with perfectly straight teeth. It's not necessarily easy to overcome any trepidation your child might have about having to wear braces. Their concerns can range from the physical to the emotional—your child might worry that the braces will be uncomfortable and that their classmates will make fun of them. These particular worries can be easy enough to address with a simple conversation, but still, you might need to sell the concept to your child. There are some ways to make early orthodontics as appealing as possible.

Selective Language

When discussing the need for braces with your child, you should be rather selective with your language. It's known that braces work courtesy of the progressive tightening of the archwire, which then applies pressure to the bracket mounted to each tooth, which then contorts the teeth into the necessary position. 

However, it's best to avoid this type of terminology with a young child because the specifics of how braces work can be a little unsettling. You can simply tell your child that the metal framework of the braces encourages their teeth to straighten. 

Stainless Steel, Gold, or White

What about when your child absolutely hates the idea of having to wear braces at all? While stainless steel braces are generally the norm, this is not the only colour option available. Perhaps your child would prefer gold braces (which are usually only gold-coloured, as opposed to actually being made of a precious metal). This makes the braces more like mouth jewellery. White and pale brackets and archwires can also be options that sharply reduce the prominence of the braces. 

Elastic Bands

Another way to brighten up dental braces is with the elastic bands that help to affix the archwire to the bracket. These come in a wide range of colours, so your child could have a rainbow effect, or the bands could be their favourite colour. You can also colour code the process, with a new colour elastic band for each checkup.

Your child might not be thrilled at the prospect of having to wear braces, but there are ways to make the idea more appealing.

For more information, contact an early orthodontist.