Navigating Teens & Braces
Orthodontic treatment for teens is often far more complicated than just straightening teeth. Braces for teens work great, but they can also affect appearance, eating, oral hygiene, school activities, and everyday routine, all while your teen is already navigating plenty of physical changes and social challenges. However, with a little preparation, open communication, and the right support, most teenagers can fit orthodontic treatment into their everyday lives while gradually assuming more responsibility for their own care.
Adjusting to Life With Braces
The first few days and weeks with braces usually involve an adjustment period. Knowing what to expect can make the transition easier. Your teen can expect changes with:
- Tenderness: Teeth may feel sore after braces are fitted or following adjustments. This is usually temporary.
- Mouth irritation: Brackets and wires may initially rub against the lips, cheeks, or tongue. Orthodontic wax can help protect irritated areas.
- Eating: Some foods may be uncomfortable at first, and hard, sticky, or chewy foods can damage braces. Softer foods may be easier immediately after an adjustment.
- Oral hygiene: Braces create extra places for food and plaque to collect, so careful brushing and cleaning between the teeth become even more important.
- Speech: Some teenagers notice temporary changes in speech when they first get braces. This generally improves as they become accustomed to it though.
How to Discuss Appearance and Self-Confidence
Teenagers can often be self-conscious about their looks, and braces don’t help. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry identifies increased aesthetic awareness and psychosocial development as important considerations in adolescent oral healthcare. Some may be concerned about school photos, meeting new people, school events, or comments from classmates.
Parents can help ease their teen’s concerns about looks without making them the central focus of treatment. Simply telling a teenager that their appearance “doesn’t matter” can unintentionally make them feel like they aren’t being heard. Instead, recognize that getting used to braces takes time and let your teen decide how much attention they want to give them.
Parent and Teen Responsibilities
At the beginning, parents may need to provide quite a bit of practical support. This might include arranging appointments, buying oral-care supplies, helping establish routines, and making sure treatment instructions are understood. Over time, though, your teen should gradually take more ownership of these responsibilities.
A useful division of responsibility might look like this:
| Teen responsibility | Parent support |
| Brushing, flossing, and cleaning around braces | Providing appropriate supplies |
| Following food and appliance instructions | Keeping suitable foods available |
| Remembering daily routines | Establishing routines where needed |
| Protecting braces during sports | Helping obtain an appropriate mouthguard |
| Reporting discomfort or broken braces, brackets, etc. | Helping arrange professional advice |
| Attending appointments prepared | Managing scheduling and transport |
This balance can help avoid two common situations: expecting a teenager to manage everything without enough support, or having parents constantly supervise every part of treatment from start to finish.
Minimizing Disruption to School and Activities
Orthodontic treatment does not generally require teenagers to withdraw from normal activities. However, certain activities may require additional preparation.
- School: A small orthodontic kit of floss threaders and wax can be useful for dealing with trapped food or unexpected irritation during the school day.
- Sports: A fitted mouthguard can help protect both the mouth and braces during contact sports. The appropriate type should be discussed with a dentist or orthodontist, but it’s very important to remember to wear it and wear it properly!
- Music and performance: Braces may initially feel unfamiliar when playing certain instruments or participating in performances. Practice and gradual adjustment are generally more useful than avoiding activities altogether.
- Social events: Eating away from home may require some planning, especially where foods that can damage braces are being served.
When Problems Should Be Addressed
Teenagers should know that making a mistake (like eating a troublesome food that damages the braces) is part of managing orthodontic treatment, not a sign that they have failed.
A loose bracket, protruding wire, persistent irritation, or significant discomfort should be brought to the attention of the orthodontic team. A loose or sharp component can sometimes irritate the soft tissues of the mouth, and persistent sores or irritation should be assessed.
Likewise, repeated difficulty with oral hygiene, missed appointments, or following treatment instructions is an opportunity to reassess the routine rather than simply assign blame.