The countdown is on for the remaining days of school, and while top of mind for you and your children is probably beaches and bathing suits—what you should be thinking of is biting the bullet and looking into starting the kids on braces. Why may you ask? It’s simple—flexible scheduling, adjusting to a new you, and practicing good hygiene! 

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING

Now with school, sports, afterschool activities and homework out of the way, finding an open slot available for an appointment will be much easier. We understand how difficult it is during the school year to find a time that both you and your child are available. That becomes easier though in the summer when there are less commitments for your child. This is especially important at the start of orthodontic treatments when appointments tend to be a bit lengthier when evaluations, assessments and/or extractions may be necessary. 

ADJUSTING TO A NEW YOU

All patient’s teeth are different. For some patients, only slight adjustments may be needed in aligning teeth. Others, however, may require more extensive orthodontic treatment. For these patients, there could be some soreness at the beginning of the treatment period, so kids may feel more comfortable recovering and adjusting at home. 

FRIENDLY - AND NOT SO FRIENDLY - FOODS

Although wearing braces is just temporary, they do require a bit of adjusting to. For starters, there are braces-friendly foods—and foods that your child will want to avoid. Learning and getting accustomed to these foods during the summer will save your child any apprehension of eating in front of their friends when school begins. 

LEARNING GOOD ORAL HYGIENE

Good oral hygiene is important all the time—but it’s even more critical for those wearing braces. It’s important to understand this so that good habits can begin early. Flossing becomes critical because braces allow small food particles to stay trapped against teeth. This can cause plaque to build up and stain—or even cause your teeth to decay. When brackets are removed, those with questionable dental hygiene practices may have outlines of plaque and stains or possible areas of decay. Unfortunately, this could require additional oral treatments.

SUMMER SMILES BEGIN TODAY

With stress-free days ahead, summertime is perfect for taking the first step towards your child’s absolute best smile. The Smile Shoppe team is ready to get your child started on their orthodontic journey that’ll give them a lifetime of smiles. Creating healthy, beautiful smiles that your child will be proud of is not our only goal – the overall oral health of our patients is also an important part of the treatment process.

REFERRALS ARE NOT NEEDED

The good news is you don’t need a referral to have your child seen by an orthodontist. We provide free orthodontic consultations for patient of all ages, so feel free to schedule an appointment with an us for an expert opinion!

CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY

Even though the recommended age to begin seeing an orthodontist is by the age of 8, regardless of your child’s age, call the Smile Shoppe for a complimentary consultation today. The sooner we can assess your child’s teeth, the sooner we can get him or her on a path of beautifully aligned teeth.