You and I both know that getting braces today is giving your teen the lifelong gift of a confident, straight smile. They’ll appreciate it one day in the not-so-distant future when they’re stepping out into their career and adult social life, not to mention once they’re in charge of their own dental bills.
However, your teen looks at braces as punishment. Some teens react to the idea of braces like you’ve informed them they’ll now be living in the woods without Wi-Fi for the foreseeable future.
We can respect this while still understanding that a healthy smile is an amazing privilege and gift that is worth the mild suffering of being a teen with braces.
Why Do Teens Refuse Braces?
I can promise you that a teen refusing braces is very normal. After all, this is a big deal from their perspective. Teens may worry about:
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Teasing or social judgment
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Their appearance and photos
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Pain or discomfort
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Food stuck in braces
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The length of treatment
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Standing out from peers
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Not being able to eat their favorite foods
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The horrifying possibility of spinach caught in their brackets during English class
Teens who are really digging their heels into refusing may have embarrassment and social fear about getting braces. They may also be worried about braces being uncomfortable. We tend to see this more if a teen needs metal braces when all of their friends have Invisalign trays. Let’s give teens some grace as we remember that we didn’t have TikTok and Instagram pressure when we were that age.
As an orthodontist who has worked with many adults who are getting braces because orthodontic care wasn’t available to them in their teen years, I promise you that going through the struggle of getting your teen to embrace braces is worth it. Many of my adult patients have spent years feeling self-conscious about their smiles before coming into our office.
Why Orthodontic Treatment Matters for Your Teen
Does my child need braces just because they have crowding or crookedness? It’s so important to take care of orthodontic issues in the childhood and the teen years if you’re in a position to do this for your child. Yes, braces give that million-dollar smile that will help your teen beam with confidence just as it’s time to head to prom or make the leap to a brand new life in college.
Braces are also important for long-term dental health and bite issues. Crowding creates difficulty for brushing and flossing. That can mean cavities and decay that strike early. Many people who don’t get the orthodontic care they need by their teen years also live with grinding and jaw discomfort because of misalignment.
What if my teen refuses braces?
After years of being an orthodontist specializing in kids and teens, I promise they’ll forgive you. No, scratch that. I promise they’ll thank you. The challenge is simply calming them down and assuring them that this isn’t the end of the world, the doom of their social life, and a reason to hide in photos for next 18 to 30 months all in one.
Here are some of my tips for approaching the process of braces calmly and drama-free with your teen. Yes, I promise it’s possible.
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Listen empathetically to their concerns: Don’t dismiss them
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Stay calm: Don’t engage in a power struggle
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Reassure them: Their feelings are normal
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Don’t shame or criticize their appearance
Should Parents Force Braces? What If My Teen Still Says No?
As an orthodontist, it’s never my job to insert myself into a parent-child relationship or tell a parent what they should or shouldn’t do. You know your child best. However, I certainly do my best to always support parents and provide them with tips for making this decision a little less scary for teens. Here’s what I recommend if you have tried to persuade your child or teen and they still are against orthodontic treatment:
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Include your teen in the conversation: During your office visit, we can invite your teen into the conversation instead of talking about them or at them. I always welcome my teen patients to ask me questions directly. I want them to feel like they can advocate for themselves here in my office.
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Discuss clear aligners: We can also discuss if clear aligners for teens are appropriate. If a teen is disappointed that metal braces are being suggested, I’m always happy to explain why they will get much better results with the “less fun” option.
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Give teens as much ownership in decisions as possible: This can include things like choosing ceramic brackets over metal or clear rubber bands.
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One thing I always keep up my sleeve? Before-and-after stories: You would be surprised how braces suddenly don’t look as scary when they see patients their own age go through incredible transformations that leave them with beautiful (dare we say Instagram-ready) smiles.
Ultimately, I want to help you help your teen want braces. Braces anxiety often drifts away once they meet our friendly team. They will finally see that you aren’t trying to punish them with the “terrible threat” of top-notch orthodontic care.
You Got This: Orthodontic Treatment for Teens Doesn’t Have to Cause Fights
Believe me when I tell you my staff has seen this story play out about a thousand times. It’s perfectly normal, natural, and expected for teens to be resistant to braces. In truth, most teens actually adjust to the idea faster than they expect. They pretty much forget they’re even wearing braces a few months in.
Plus, you’re really going to share an incredible moment with your teen on the day when those braces come off. It can be like seeing a completely new, more confident version of your son or daughter get revealed!
If your teen is hesitant about braces, we promise we won’t be shocked. We’re happy to answer questions, talk through options, handle the sarcasm that flies at us, and make the process feel a little less overwhelming for both of you.
Book your free consultation at our orthodontic office for teens in Salem, Oregon today!