Teens and younger kids can be a little nervous about wearing braces. They might feel concern about the appliances being uncomfortable and hurting their gums and cheeks, but more often any worry is over how they will look with braces.
While there are plenty of options for “invisible” orthodontic options, not all dental plans will pay for treatment equally, and traditional metal braces typically end up being the most cost-effective option for the family.
Fortunately, there are ways for your child to personalize his braces and make them fun!
Colored Brackets and Bands
Braces are made of several parts: the steel bracket, the band around the bracket, the wires running between. Some patients even need rubber bands between their upper and lower teeth. The most recognized way to personalize braces is by using colored bands around the bracket. Kids can use them to match their favorite colors, their school colors, or any other color they want. (However, we recommend to stay away from black, white, yellow, green, and brown to avoid making the teeth look decayed, yellowed, or as if there were food stuck in them!)
Shaped Brackets for Fun
Another interesting way to get your own look with your braces is to use “fashion” brackets. These are brackets shaped like hearts, stars, and footballs, to name just a few. They may even be used in conjunction with the colored bands!
No matter how your child owns his braces, the most important thing is that they fit right and do their job. A check up every 4-6 weeks at East Cobb Orthodontics in Marietta will ensure treatment is on track!