Are Braces Painful? A Guide to Braces

Are braces painful? The short answer is yes, but the pain is not usually severe. In this guide we explore some of the ways to alleviate the fears children have over getting braces.

Use Other Kids as Examples

Often with children, the fear of something unknown is much greater than what they experience. An easy way to help relieve the fears your children have over getting braces is to point out to them how well other children with braces are doing. It is less likely that they will fear the unknown of braces when they see other people surviving and thriving with them.

Explain the Process of Braces and How They Work

The fear of the unknown is more dramatic when you are a child than when you are an adult. Explaining how braces work gives children some knowledge about the process, and that can help relieve their fears. Teeth move into position with gentle pressure rather than abrupt movement, so the pain that is felt is more of a soreness and not a sharp pain. Put in place a few measures that will help reduce discomfort such as over the counter pain medications approved for children.

Make Getting Braces Fun

Braces are a rite of passage. Make it a big deal. By making it important, the mindset of children may change into something that is more positive. Point out some of the benefits of being able to pick a color scheme for the rubber bands that go on the braces. Fun and decorative options are appealing to children.

Explain the Options

Wire braces are not the only option. There are clear braces (like Invisalign and Byte) available for some orthodontic needs that just snap over the teeth and force them to move by applying gentle pressure. If children are concerned about how they will look with braces, show them the options. The clear braces are hardly noticeable and they make caring for teeth a lot easier. If you are worried about the price of braces or clear braces, consider some of the options for affordable dental care.

Show Kids the Reward

Open up a magazine and show them a few examples of a beautiful smile. Do they have a favorite actor, singer, or celebrity? If so, show them their beautiful smile. It helps a lot to show children and teens what the reward is for an action. Getting them onboard with the idea that braces do something positive for them helps change their mind and decrease their fears.

Being able to show children that other kids are surviving braces helps relieve fears. Explaining how braces work is also a good tool for decreasing the fear of braces. Making the entire process a fun experience and showing children the reward helps change their mindset from one of fear to one of excitement. Letting them know that there are choices available is also a powerful tool. One last little tip for those kids who fear the pain is to help them set up a pain kit, just in case. Knowing that there is medicine available if they are uncomfortable can be very helpful.