Braces for kids just got easier!

One thing is for sure: moms know best. Sound like an adage, or think we are confused with that other line, “Father knows best”? Not necessarily the case. The truth is moms trust other moms, and modern mothers are taking to Facebook and other social media platforms to seek advice from other mothers. Social media is quickly outpacing the mom and playgroup advice of the past, partly because so many mommy bloggers are out there, ready and willing to offer advice to other parents.

Mom blogging and social influencing have taken social media by storm. And moms worldwide are merely lapping it up, eager and willing to hear what other moms who have come before them have experienced. Popular topics include working mothers, breastfeeding, cosleeping, homeschooling, moms of multiples, and yes, even medical and dental advice.

6 Tips From Mommy Bloggers

Many moms struggle with how to talk to their kids about braces. Two of the most common reasons for this are that they never had braces themselves, or they had a negative experience with braces when they were young and didn’t want their children to experience the same thing.

1. Age Seven for Your Child’s First Orthodontic Evaluation

In many mom blogs we have come across, we have read about the importance of an orthodontic evaluation for your child. When we were young, it wasn’t common to have an orthodontic assessment until the teenage years. But now, pediatric dentists and orthodontists suggest an orthodontic evaluation around age seven. At age seven, the first permanent incisors and molars should have come in.

An early orthodontic evaluation can allow your dentist to determine the best course of treatment down the road. It can ensure they have plenty of time for intervention if they identify any risk factors. We’re glad to read that so many moms agree with this advice and have shared it with others.

2. What Moms Should Know Before Braces

A popular blog series with articles from moms can be found at Workingmother.com. In particular, we like this article from Natalie that provides some great insights on what moms should know about braces for kids before the orthodontics go on. For example, Natalie is open and honest that braces and orthodontics don’t come cheap. Traditional metal braces typically cost upwards of a few thousand dollars. However, most orthodontists provide flexible payment options, making it easier to bite off the expense.

Another blogger who goes by the writer name Painter Mommy suggests that parents can seek affordable dental coverage to help ensure coverage for minor and major dental expenses. Some packages can include higher coverage for orthodontics.

In Natalie’s article, she also reinforces the need for children to have their first orthodontic evaluation at age seven, emphasizing that there can be time to prepare for future treatments with early intervention and assessment. In some cases, orthodontists will suggest a palate expander early on.

Palate expanders gradually widen the upper jaw, thus creating more room in your child’s mouth. The result is that upper teeth will better fit with lower teeth, making a better bite. Widening the upper jaw can create more room for crowded teeth, thus reducing the need for potential tooth extraction later on.

3. Straight Teeth Don’t Mean All Is Well

We appreciate how Natalie shares a very upfront viewpoint that straight teeth don’t necessarily mean all is well.

What appears as straight teeth now, might not lead to straight teeth later. When teeth aren’t correctly aligned, it can make it difficult for your child to chew. Not only that, but crooked teeth with an overbite or underbite can lead to tissue damage. And, to make matters worse, crooked teeth are more prone to cracks or chips.

Of course, all moms naturally breathe a sigh of relief when their children’s teeth come in all nice and straight with even spacing. And if the child never complains of any dental pain, then no harm, no foul, right? Unfortunately, we wish this was the case. In reality, no one but a pediatric dentist can properly ascertain the risks related to gum disease, misalignment of the jaw, or other concerns that could lead to big trouble down the road.

4. Talk About Braces for Kids, With Your Kid

Painter Mommy shares the need to talk through the topic of braces with your child. It’s not uncommon for children to feel apprehensive about the idea of braces. Teenagers, in particular, are self-conscious and worry about how braces might look. They also worry about what braces might do to their speech. And, of course, all kids worry about whether or not braces will be painful or uncomfortable.

We agree with Painter Mommy that it is vital for parents to openly talk to their kids about their braces concerns. By hearing your child’s concerns, you can alleviate any anxiety they may have and focus on the positive results they will experience at the end. You can also share different strategies with your child to make braces more comfortable, such as dental wax to stop the rubbing.

5. Make Braces Day Special

Stacey, a mom blogger and owner of The Soccer Mom Blog provides various tips to help moms create a positive experience for kids who are anticipating braces. She suggests making a trip to the orthodontist a memorable experience that consists of more than just the dental visit. We can’t agree with her more, and we’ve heard plenty of parents tell us how they have turned braces day into a fun day full of shopping, a parent-child lunch, and more.

6. Adjusting to Braces for Kids

In one of her blogs, Jennifer Landis, otherwise known as the Mindfulness Mama, shares some strategies parents can undertake to help their kids adjust to their new braces. One of our favorite points in her blog reinforces the need to teach your child proper oral hygiene. Of course, we are hopeful your child has been educated on oral hygiene since they were little, but when it comes to braces, oral hygiene practices are a bit different.

Brushing teeth with braces requires using a soft-bristled brush at a 45-degree angle to get underneath the braces’ wires. Flossing is also necessary to remove food particles that might get stuck in places where the toothbrush can’t reach. Landis also suggests dental wax to help keep your child’s mouth comfortable while they are adjusting to their new braces for kids.

Call Pediatric Dental Specialists about braces for kids.

If you have questions about early orthodontic evaluations or braces for kids, or if you are ready to schedule an assessment, give us a call at (402) 397-3377. Or request an appointment on our website. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have stemming from mom blogs or other internet resources.