Prepare your child for Orthodontic Treatment: A Comprehensive Guide from Lynskey Orthodontics

April 22, 2025

At Lynskey Orthodontics, Santa Rosa, CA, we understand that starting orthodontic treatment can be daunting for both parents and children. Our goal is to ensure that your child feels comfortable and confident throughout the process. This guide will provide you with steps to prepare your child for orthodontic treatment, from understanding what to expect during an orthodontic consultation to tips on making the experience smooth and stress-free.

The Importance of Early Orthodontic Care

Early orthodontic care is crucial for addressing dental issues before they become more complex. Pediatric orthodontics focuses on diagnosing and treating dental and jaw growth irregularities in children. Early intervention can help in guiding the growth of your child’s jaw and teeth, preventing severe problems in the future. Sometimes treatment may even impact your child’s breathing, and therefore jaw development, resulting in helping your child thrive.

What to Expect During an Orthodontic Consultation

The first step in preparing your child for orthodontic treatment is understanding what happens during an orthodontist consultation. During this visit, our team at Lynskey Orthodontics will conduct a thorough examination of your child’s teeth, jaws, and mouth. We utilize advanced imaging technology to capture detailed images, which help us in creating a personalized treatment plan.

We will discuss the recommended treatment options, whether it involves braces for kids or other orthodontic devices. Our goal is to ensure you, and your child understand the process, the expected outcomes, and the duration of the treatment.

Preparing Your Child for the First Visit

Preparing your child for their first orthodontist consultation is key to ensuring they feel at ease. Here are a few tips to help you:

• Educate Your Child: Explain the purpose of the visit in simple terms. Let them know that the orthodontist is there to help make their teeth healthy and strong.
• Stay Positive: Use positive language to describe the experience. Avoid words like “pain” or “hurt” and focus on how their smile will improve.
• Bring Comfort Items: Allow your child to bring a favorite toy or book to help them feel more secure during the appointment.
• Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Encourage your child to brush and floss their teeth thoroughly before the visit. This helps them understand the importance of maintaining oral hygiene.

The Orthodontic Treatment Journey

Once the consultation is complete and a treatment plan is established, it’s important to prepare your child for the journey ahead. Here are some aspects to consider:

• Understanding Braces for Kids: Our team loves to help our patients “win” at the ortho game. We discuss how braces work and the importance of wearing them as instructed. We highlight the benefits, such as a beautiful, healthy smile.
• Managing Discomfort: Our team will also discuss potential discomforts, such as soreness after adjustments, and how to manage them with over-the-counter pain relievers and orthodontic wax.
• Dietary Adjustments: We partner with our families to educate your child about foods to avoid, such as sticky or hard items, to protect their braces. Emphasize the importance of eating soft, braces-friendly foods to ensure we progress efficiently and effectively.
• Regular Appointments: We cannot emphasize this enough: periodic check-ups ensure the treatment is progressing as planned.

Orthodontic Options for Children and Teens:

• Orthodontic Appliances: These can be removeable or “fixed” meaning glued onto the teeth.
• Braces: Braces are glued onto the front surface of the teeth. We offer traditional metal braces, or the more modern, and customized Lightforce braces which can reduce appointment times, overall treatment time and have less chance for “emergency” visits due to broken braces.
• Aligners: Dr Lynskey treats both children and teens with Invisalign aligners. These removeable braces allow our patients to brush and floss with ease, and have little to no emergency appointments, and have indicators built within them to ensure proper wear time.

Supporting Your Child Throughout Treatment

Supporting your child throughout their orthodontic care journey is vital. Here’s how you can help:

• Encouragement and Praise: Regularly praise your child for following orthodontic instructions and maintaining good oral hygiene.
• Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on the progress of your child’s treatment by communicating with our team.
• Create a Positive Experience: Make orthodontic appointments a positive experience by planning a fun activity afterward.

Contact Our Team

Preparing your child for orthodontic treatment can make the entire process smoother and more positive. At Lynskey Orthodontics, we are dedicated to providing exceptional orthodontic care in Sonoma County, CA, ensuring

that your child achieves a healthy, beautiful smile. If you have any questions or wish to schedule an orthodontic consultation, don’t hesitate to contact us. Together, we can make this journey a rewarding experience for your child.

Feel free to reach out to Lynskey Orthodontics located in Santa Rosa, CA. We look forward to helping your child achieve their best smile!