How to Support Your Child’s Successful Orthodontic Treatment

In the United States, around half of adolescents ages 12 to 17 need some degree of orthodontic treatment, according to the latest national surveillance data. While your child may feel excited about treatment, parents are often nervous. Some of the questions that are top of mind for many Lakeshore parents include: “How do we make sure all this time, effort, and money lead to a healthy, lasting result?” The answer starts with choosing an experienced orthodontist and continues with what happens between appointments. 

Read on to learn how parents can help support successful treatment, including how to choose the right treatment and where to find the best orthodontists in Manitowoc. 

What Parents Should Look for in a Pediatric Orthodontist 

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who completes dental school followed by additional training in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. That specialized training matters because moving teeth is a biological process. The orthodontist must consider tooth position, bite, available space, jaw relationships, growth, and the health of the supporting tissues.

When finding the best orthodontist in Sheboygan for your child, look for an orthodontist with specialized training in phase I and phase II orthodontics and a treatment philosophy that accounts for your child’s individual growth and dental development.

Habits Parents Can Support That Ensure Successful Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment is an investment of both your time and money. There are a few simple habits that can make sure the treatment is as successful and fast as possible: 

1. Brushing and Flossing

Prioritizing oral hygiene is the best way to support successful treatment and a pearly white smile once the braces come off. Because braces create additional areas where plaque and food particles can collect, parents should provide extra guidance and supervision to ensure children brush thoroughly and clean between their teeth every day. Depending on the type of orthodontic appliance and the child’s needs, an interdental brush, floss threader, or water flosser can help make dental hygiene easier. 

2. Appliance Compliance 

If your child needs rubber bands or elastics, wearing them only occasionally will not produce the same result as following the prescribed schedule. With clear aligners, treatment success depends heavily on wearing the trays as instructed and taking them out only to eat or drink anything but water. 

Appliance compliance also means protecting the appliance from damage. Hard, sticky, and crunchy foods can damage brackets and wires. Popcorn, hard candy, ice, nuts, caramel and similar foods are common troublemakers. Foods such as apples and other firm fruits can usually be enjoyed when cut into smaller pieces rather than bitten into whole.

3. Keeping Appointments

Orthodontic visits allow the doctor to evaluate progress and make adjustments. Repeatedly missing appointments can disrupt the planned treatment sequence. 

Choosing Between Traditional Metal Braces and Clear Aligners

Modern dentistry offers several orthodontic treatment options. No option is universally better, and choosing the right treatment depends on the orthodontic problem, the child’s development, treatment goals, and ability to follow instructions. Here is a simple breakdown of options: 

How to Protect Your Child’s Smile After Braces

During treatment, the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth are adapting to their new positions. Retainers help hold those positions while the surrounding structures adjust. They may be removable or fixed, depending on the patient and the treatment plan.

This is where parents can make a surprisingly big difference. A teenager may understand that braces are finished and assume the job is over. It is important to explain that the retainer is part of protecting the result they worked to achieve.

Retainers also need care. Removable retainers should be rinsed and cleaned as directed, stored in their case, and kept away from pets. If a retainer is lost, damaged, or no longer fits, contact the orthodontist rather than forcing it into place.

Where to Find the Best Orthodontists in Manitowoc for Clear Aligners or Traditional Braces

Successful orthodontic treatment is built over time. We want children and teens to understand their treatment, feel comfortable asking questions, and develop habits that protect both their orthodontic appliances and their teeth. 

Dr. Ethan Just brings both specialized training and a deep connection to Wisconsin. He earned his dental degree with honors from Western University College of Dental Medicine, was selected for the Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society, and completed his orthodontic residency at Marquette University. He is also board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics.