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 It’s Never too Late to Straighten Your Smile

Braces as an adult? No way. At least, that was what I thought when my dentist told me that I was going to have to see an orthodontist about my crooked teeth. But my teeth were so misaligned that they were causing me pain when I chewed, so I decided to at least look into it. Turns out braces today are nothing like the ones my friends had when I was a kid. Mine were practically invisible, and I didn't need to wear them that long. I started this blog to encourage other people like me who are nervous about the prospect of wearing braces as an adult. My straight smile is so worth the trips to the orthodontist, and wearing braces was nowhere near as bad as I thought. Read on to find out more about how you can straighten your smile.

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It’s Never too Late to Straighten Your Smile

How to Help Your Teen Adjust to Their Braces

by Jacqueline Byrd

Braces will ultimately give your teen a straighter, more perfect smile that they are thankful for. But the first few weeks with those braces can be anything but pleasant. Here are a few ways that you, as a parent, can help your teen adjust to their new braces.

Stock up on soft foods they love.

You may be surprised to see that the list of foods to actually avoid with braces is pretty short. Aside from not biting directly into apples or eating chewy candy, your teen should be able to consume most foods with braces on. However, they probably won't feel like chewing crunchy or chewy foods during the first week or two when their jaws are sore. To ensure your teen is able to eat comfortably, stock up on soft foods they like before they get their braces put on. Yogurt, pudding, soft pasta, rice, applesauce, and smoothies are all tasty options.

Give them over-the-counter pain relievers.

Buy a bottle of ibuprofen, and tell your teen to ask you for a dose if their soreness becomes too irritating. This way, you can regulate the amount of medication your teen is taking, while still providing them access to pain relief. If your teen is asking you for pain pills too often, offer them an ice pack to hold against their jaw instead. The cold can help reduce inflammation, which is often to blame for much of the discomfort experienced during the first week or two with braces.

Be positive about their appearance.

One of the hardest parts of getting braces is dealing with the metal-mouthed reflection in the mirror. Your teen is likely to feel self-conscious about their appearance during this time, and you can help by staying positive about their looks. Reassure them that they look handsome or beautiful when they walk out the door. You may even want to take your teen for a haircut or manicure so they have something else to focus on when it comes to their looks.

Guide them with the use of wax.

Your teen's dentist probably gave them wax to put on the pointy wires so they don't poke into their cheeks. However, applying this wax can be difficult. Offer to help your teen with this process, if needed. Let them know there is no reason to be embarrassed if they need assistance applying the wax, and that you're more than happy to help.

Contact an orthodontics professional like those at Poulson Orthodontics if you need more information about helping your teen adjust to their braces.

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