Braces are the standard way to straighten teeth because they have such a long history of success. If your child is embarrassed by crooked teeth or has a hard time keeping them clean, you might be considering this treatment. However, your youth or teen might hesitate to move forward if they’ve heard horror stories or are unsure what to expect.

Traditional orthodontics rely on metal brackets bonded to your child’s teeth that are threaded with an arch wire. This can be adjusted to exert pressure that gradually shifts their grin over a designated period. Although it’s a great way to realign their smile, there are a few common concerns that many patients experience. Continue reading to learn more about 3 problems your child might run into with braces and how to address them!

Although braces are the tried-and-true solution for straightening smiles, they notoriously make patients of all ages self-conscious about their appearance. The bulky metal brackets tend to stand out and draw unwanted attention to the condition of your child’s grin, and they could develop anxiety about being judged.

Thankfully, there are ways you can help them ease their worry over the way their teeth look. For instance, you can help them choose rubber band colors for their orthodontics that help their teeth look whiter in comparison. Read on to learn more about the different shades that can help their teeth look brighter to boost their confidence and which ones to avoid!