Your child’s braces experience starts before the first bracket goes on. The way you talk about it, the routines you build, and the time of day you schedule appointments all influence how they’ll feel about treatment and reduce dental anxiety. How to get your kids excited about braces comes down to creating small moments that feel positive, fun, and theirs to own. Here are some ways to help your child walk in and out of each appointment at Sycamore Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry with a smile.
Schedule Smart From The Start
Timing can make all the difference in how your child feels about braces. If their first few appointments cut into sports practice, a music lesson, or their favorite after-school activity, braces can start to feel like a disruption rather than the awesome experience it is. That kind of frustration can set the wrong tone from the beginning.
When you’re scheduling visits, think about your child’s routine and what they look forward to each week. Aim for appointment times that won’t interfere with things they love. Coming in after a calm day or on a day where they won’t experience FOMO about theater auditions or debate club reduces stress and gives them more energy to focus on the positives. You might be surprised how thinking of them in this way helps them stay upbeat about orthodontic treatment and minimize dental anxiety!
Make Braces For Kids Appointments Something To Look Forward To
We know that for many kids, a healthcare office is the last place they’d like to be. Though Dr. Peter Barysenka, Dr. Sarah Barysenka, and the team try to keep things fun and engaging, orthodontic appointments can still feel like a chore for younger patients. But with a little creativity, we can turn these check-ins into something to look forward to. One simple (and delicious) way to do that? Make post-appointment ice cream a tradition.
After a tightening or adjustment, your child’s teeth may feel a little sore. Soft, cold treats like ice cream or frozen custard help soothe that discomfort while also adding a bright spot to the day. When you’re leaving our Sycamore office, you can walk on over to Princess Alex Ice Cream or drive to Ollie’s Frozen Custard, two local favorites with tons of delicious flavors that are perfect after an orthodontic visit.
Would your child prefer something less dairy-heavy? No problem! Here are some alternatives for a fun after-appointment tradition:
- On the way, let them create a playlist to jam out to on the way home.
- Take them to buy a coloring book, paint-by-numbers, or other artistic activity to use exclusively after appointments to distract them from any soreness and give them something to look forward to
- Make or purchase delicious snow cones; just make sure they’re soft enough to avoid damaging the braces.
- A nice cold popsicle that won’t put their braces at risk is another soothing cold treat.
It’s that simple to shift the focus away from the discomfort and toward the celebration of the process of getting a new smile!
Let Them Choose Their Braces Colors
Colorful bands turn metal braces into a fashion statement! Letting them pick the colors at each appointment helps them feel more in control of the process and adds a little excitement to their treatment. Plus, it’s also a subtle but meaningful way to help them feel like their braces aren’t the only thing people notice.
Most kids put a lot of thought into their choices and look forward to the change of braces colors. Some go all in with bright, bold combinations that reflect their personality. Others like to match their braces to school spirit days, holidays, or even favorite sports teams. Whether it’s alternating pink and purple or going full red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July, the chance to customize their look makes braces feel less like a medical device and more like an accessory.
Create A Metal Braces Rewards System
A little motivation goes a long way, especially when it comes to getting children to keep up with braces care. Turning good habits into a game can make daily responsibilities like brushing after meals or wearing rubber bands feel less like tedious tasks and more like wins or accomplishments toward a tangible, fun goal, beyond achieving a new smile.
Make sure the rewards system matches your child’s interests. Maybe they earn points for choosing a braces-friendly snack instead of popcorn, brushing after dinner without being reminded, or staying on track with their rubber bands for a full week. Trade those points in for extra screen time, outings, or a fun little prize from the bookstore or toy store.
When you pair positive reinforcement with consistency, braces become something your child takes ownership of, and who knows, that confidence and wisdom of creating small steps to reach a bigger goal might stick long after treatment ends.
Frame The Diet Changes As A Food Adventure
When kids first get braces or Invisalign clear aligners, giving up favorite snacks like popcorn or sticky candy can be a hard sell. But our skilled providers have a trick up their sleeve that we love to share with parents.
Instead of focusing on what’s off-limits, make it a challenge to discover new, braces-friendly foods together. Smoothies, mashed sweet potatoes, soft pasta, or even creative takes on breakfast-for-dinner can turn mealtime into something fun and fresh. Try new recipes from various cuisines, let them help cook, allow them to customize the ingredients, or turn taste-testing into a weekly tradition.
By emphasizing what they can eat and all the yet-to-try possibilities, you help build excitement around treatment and food. Plus, you’ll likely find a few new family favorites along the way.
Braces Treatment Is All About Creating Smiles, So Make It Fun
Your kid might not cheer the first time they hear the word “braces” or “Invisalign,” but a few smart moves, like creating fun routines or giving them ownership over their look and care, can create a 180 in their attitude towards treatment. They start to get excited about choosing colors. They remind you it’s a nice, cold ice cream or frozen custard day. They brag about earning a reward for brushing without being told.
The entire Sycamore Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry team is here to help you build that positive foundation. We’ve made it easy for kids across Sycamore, IL, to feel confident in their smiles and included in the process from their very first appointment. Let’s work together to make their smile something they can feel good about every step of the way. Contact us to schedule a consultation for your child today!