How to Get Your Kids Excited About Their Braces

Braces are a big step for any patient, but especially kids. Stormberg Orthodontics understands that there could be mixed feelings about braces – some children may be excited about their new hardware whereas other kids might be feeling anxious or even a little scared. All feelings are perfectly normal! There are a few things parents can do to get their kids excited about their upcoming orthodontic journey. Our orthodontist in La Mesa recommends trying the following tactics to brighten your child’s mood about braces! On our website, we have a Brace Color Chooser under the tab of Orthodontic Treatment. Pick and choose your colors to coincide with a holiday, school or work function, sports teams or just your favorite colors. These colors will be changed at each appointment, so your choices could be endless! The patient can choose what type of braces, clear or metal braces without any additional charge or Invisalign Teen/Invisalign as an option, if applicable.

1. Plan Something Special

Prior to your child getting braces with Dr. Kurt Stormberg, plan a “pre-braces activity.” This can be anything that may help your child get excited about braces – their favorite activity, a party with friends and family, tickets to a concert or sporting event, or a small weekend getaway. Whichever activity you plan, we suggest integrating some snacks that they won’t be able to eat once their braces are put on – popcorn, sticky candy, hard candy, and bubblegum, for example.

2. Braces Are Not Forever

Our orthodontist in the South Bay encourages you to remind your child that braces are not forever. In reality, they will only have braces for a very short period of time, typically 1-2 years. Their treatment will fly by and will be done before they even know it.

3. Almost Everyone Gets Braces

Show your child that they are not alone, everyone gets braces! Print out pictures of their favorite celebrities with braces or a picture of Mom and Dad with braces. Talk to other parents and explain how many of your child’s friends will be getting braces at the exact same time as them. In fact, if they didn’t get braces, they may be the ones getting left out. Ask Dr. Kurt Stormberg for “before and after photos” of other Stormberg patients!

4. Track Their Progress

The fun part of braces is seeing your child’s teeth transform over a few weeks and months. Make tracking their orthodontic progress fun and routine. Our orthodontist in La Mesa recommends taking a “before photo” and setting a timeline for “update photos.” Updates can be taken every month or every three months, whatever works best to encourage your child! On our website, we have a Brace Color Chooser under the tab of Orthodontic Treatment. Pick and choose your colors to coincide with a holiday, school or work function, sports teams or just your favorite colors.