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Our Guide to Preparing Your Child for Braces

Home » Blog » Our Guide to Preparing Your Child for Braces

The modern braces we use at Craig & Streight Orthodontics are a lot smaller, more comfortable and more attractive than they used to be. That being said, there’s still an adjustment period for kids and teens when they first get their braces put on. We promise, your child will get used to their braces quickly and pretty much forget they even have them. However, as a parent, there are things you can do to speed up this process and ease the transition. Here’s our guide to preparing your child for braces:

Schedule Your Child’s First Orthodontic Evaluation by Age Seven

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends kids see an orthodontist for the first time by the age of seven. Unless we spot certain red flags, Dr. Streight, Dr. Craig or Dr. Kierl will examine your child and then simply keep an eye on their growth and development over the years and let you know when the time is right to start treatment. These early visits let kids get used to the sights and sounds of the orthodontic office and develop a rapport with our team. When it’s time for them to get braces or Invisalign Teen, they’re more comfortable and less nervous because they have an idea of what to expect. However, if your child is over the age of seven, it’s never too late to come in for a consultation!

Consider the Treatment Options

When you have your complimentary consultation at our Mustang, Norman or South OKC orthodontic office, we’ll chat with you about the pros and cons of each treatment option we offer. One of the best tips for how to get kids ready for braces is to choose the treatment that works for your child and your family. When kids are comfortable with their treatment, the entire process is easier. We offer clear braces, metal braces and Invisalign Teen. If your child is extremely self-conscious about their smile and doesn’t like to draw attention to it, clear braces or Invisalign Teen might be the best choice. If they like the idea of braces and they’d love choosing colorful elastics to go with them, metal braces could be better.

Talk About the Braces Procedure

Talk with your child about the braces procedure and encourage them to write down a list of questions and concerns to bring to their consultation. Our team will explain exactly what happens when they get their braces put on and we’re always more than happy to answer questions. The procedure is completely painless and there are no needles involved. Most patients aren’t super nervous about the Invisalign Teen procedure but, of course, we’ll explain that in detail as well before we get started.

Chat About Your Expectations

It’s always a good idea to talk about your expectations for your child’s treatment upfront. Their treatment will be most effective if they practice good oral hygiene and keep up with appointments. For braces wearers, they’ll also need to avoid really hard, sticky and chewy foods and wear a mouthguard when playing sports to avoid damaging their braces. Invisalign Teen wearers can eat whatever they want but they will need to store their aligners in their case when they’re eating and drinking and remember to wear them for 22 hours per day. Making sure you and your child or teen are on the same page from the get-go is one of the first steps to take when preparing your child for braces.

Show Them They’re Not Alone

Some kids are absolutely thrilled about the idea of getting braces while others are more apprehensive. If you’re child falls into the latter camp, show them they’re not alone in wearing braces. If you had braces yourself, talk about your own experience and the positive effects treatment had on your life. Or, point out their friends and classmates in orthodontic treatment and show them pictures of their favorite celebrities with braces. Seeing other people confidently showing off their hardware can be helpful.

Stock Up on Braces Supplies

Another great tip for how to get kids ready for braces is preparing ahead of time. Go shopping together for the supplies you’ll need, including orthodontic flossers or floss threaders, orthodontic relief wax, soft foods and cold drinks. Maybe choose a few braces-friendly recipes that look good and get all of the ingredients to make them. Involving your kiddo in the process is an excellent way to get them excited.

Focus on the End Results

While it varies for each patient, braces and Invisalign Teen treatment tends to last between one and two years. That can feel like an eternity for some kids and teens. If your child is frustrated by the length of treatment or gets discouraged during the process, try to refocus them on the outcome, which is a fantastic, healthy smile. Look online together for before and after braces pictures so they can get a visual idea of just how amazing the end results will be.

In addition to these steps, Dr. Streight, Dr. Craig and Dr. Kierl are great resources for preparing your child for braces. We always fill our Oklahoma City, Mustang and Norman braces and Invisalign Teen patients in on everything they need to know, so they feel informed and confident about kicking off orthodontic treatment. To learn more or get your child started on the path to a healthy smile, book a complimentary consultation at Craig & Streight Orthodontics today!

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Patient Testimonials

Hear what Our Patients Are Saying About
Their Experience With Us

Diana G.
CSO is the best! The team is wonderful. I highly recommend to all my friends and family.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your amazing feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we appreciate your support!
stephanie S.
Dr. Streight is amazing and thinks outside of the box of orthodontics! He listens to your concerns and makes sure to discuss all possibilities before implementing a plan. I interviewed many orthodontists before landing here. I have five children and wanted to make sure I was comfortable with our choice. Now that we have used Dr Streight for two years, we could not be happier ! He is truly a problem solver and did wonders for us. Many orthodontists wanted to take the quickest and easiest route to restore my kiddos’ mouths; however he manipulated the palate over time and and created space for growth and movement in their mouths without the immediate pull of teeth while
preventing surgeries and long term damage. He is a master at his profession. Thank you for lifetime of healthy, happy teeth and smiles!
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave us a great 5-star review!
Ila F.
The doctors and staff are professional and kind! Any issues have been immediately responded to and we have been very pleased with our child's care.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you and your child have had such a positive experience with our team. Our commitment to professionalism and responsiveness is at the heart of what we do, and your feedback truly motivates us. We look forward to continuing to provide excellent care!
devinsellers
5 stars is an understatement
I feel like more than a patient when im there
Very thoughtful very helpful
Willing to work with my busy schedule
I've been going there for almost 3 years now and have yet to have a bad experience
10 out of 10 would recommend
Response from the owner:Hi Devin. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you feel valued and supported during your visits. It's great to know that our team has been able to accommodate your schedule and provide a positive experience over the years. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to continuing to serve you!
Joe A.
My daughter is very happy with her smile after her braces were off. We are very pleased with the outcome.
Response from the owner:Hi Joe. Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that your daughter is so happy with her new smile. It's always rewarding to see such positive outcomes, and we appreciate your support!
Adam M.
Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Easy to understand every step and get started that day with a journey to a better smile.
Response from the owner:Hi Adam. Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We're so glad to hear that our team made your experience enjoyable and clear. Your journey to a better smile is important to us, and we appreciate your support!
Hilary D.
Patient & kind staff. My kids were stoked to get t-shirts & play games while waiting.
Response from the owner:Hi Hilary. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that our team made your visit enjoyable for both you and your kids. Creating a welcoming environment is important to us, and it's great to know that the t-shirts and games added to the fun. We appreciate your feedback!
Michelle B.
Such great staff and extremely attentive to making sure my treatment is effective. Love coming in!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Michelle! We're thrilled to hear that our staff has made a positive impact on your treatment experience. We look forward to seeing you at your next visit!
Rachel A.
We have been seeing Dr. Craig and Dr. Streight for about 18 months. They were recommended to us by several others, as well as our dentist. We have had a very positive experience. We are hopefully almost done, and our next child is starting to see them now as well. We are confident he is in good hands.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star review!
Mike C.
Did us a solid job. We agreed on a price and they held up their end. No complaints.
Response from the owner:Hey Mike. Thank you for your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience and that everything went smoothly. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we appreciate your support!
Vanessa Monik R.
First, I am extremely thankful and happy with the customer service here at Craig & Streight orthodontics! After going to a total of 3 different Orthos, I decided CSO was perfect for my needs. I was able to get my braces on same day and they tailored a payment schedule to my budget. Kari and Ryan listened to me and answered all my questions. Thank you everyone! A BIG Thank you to the gal that applied my braces. I look forward to this journey with CSO!
Response from the owner:Hi Vanessa. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to meet your needs and make your journey with braces a positive one. Your kind words about Kari, Ryan, and our staff mean a lot to us. We’re excited to support you every step of the way!
Alyssa C.
My kids and I had a great experience! The staff was informative, the new technology was impressive, and the pricing was very reasonable. We were in and out quickly with a same-day consultation, and they were able to start the services my son needed right away. Plus, the fun arcade games kept the kids entertained while we waited. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Hi Alyssa. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your kids enjoyed your visit and found our staff informative and our technology impressive. It's great to know that the quick service and entertainment options made your time with us enjoyable. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back!
Jen K.
They are always encouraging and give her such positive feedback each time my daughter scans for her invisaline. Every step of the process has been excellent
Response from the owner:Hi Jen. Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s wonderful to hear that your daughter is receiving such positive encouragement throughout her Invisalign journey. We’re dedicated to making every step a great one, and your feedback truly motivates us to keep up the good work!
Susn J.
The best Orthodontist office you’ll ever find. Everyone goes above and beyond to help! Can’t imagine going anywhere else! The kids love going!
Response from the owner:Hi Susan. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you and your kids have such a positive experience with our team. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels supported. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to continuing to provide exceptional care!
Rachel D.
We went in for a consultation after a horrible consultation with another orthodontist and let me say Dr. Craig and her staff are absolutely AMAZING!! My daughter was super hesitant after the previous encounter with the other orthodontist but the staff here at Craig and Streight are top notch! They immediately eased my daughter's mind with their kindness! Went in for a consultation walked out with braces and a great office to take care of her dental needs! Thank you!!!
Response from the owner:Hi Rachel. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that Dr. Craig and our team were able to provide such a positive and reassuring environment for your daughter. It's wonderful to know that we could help ease her concerns and support her dental journey. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to continuing to care for your family's needs!

Our locations

Norman Office

706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

Mustang Office

1476 N Mustang Rd
Mustang, OK 73064

South Oklahoma City

12100 S Western Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

1476 N. Mustang Rd.
Mustang, OK 73064
12100 S Western Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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