Hi, apologies but i hope you don't mind but out teenage daughter is started her orthodontic treatment earlier this year. We were at the doctor taking the moulds and X-rays last month and we went back getting updated on the treatment plan, costs etc. What Im trying to get a grip on is not on the actual treatment or medical advice, but more ideas on coping with the social, physical and feeling impact of orthodontic treatment which we are now struggeling with ...
I will explain as it all started off with the orthodontist telling her the different steps and phase, with getting plates, braces, etc.
The two things that came as surprise as i admit we do not know a lot about orthodontic techniques, but first was that she would need to wear elastic bands in her mouth for most if her treatment period...I looked this up and it seems common but she was not that happy about how they would look and then also feel. Even I felt a bit strange, queazy at the thought of having 4 elastics in ones mouth...how do patients and teenagers adapt?
Second which seemed less common was the need after her braces are fitted she would get something called a headgear. To be honest, when i saw the picture she was shown, i was with her her while she was the chair when it was explained, and I could see her reactions, her movements, and fidgeting, and her look, looking almost to see if anyone else would hear in the doctors room, poor child. Even I felt very uneasy. I kept a brave face trying to ask all the right questions, because all she could muster was the odd "ok" ok ... but i could see poor child, her eyes were eventually all glassy and I could sense she wanted to cry. How do you handle emotions and reactions like that?
She was then shown a metal object called Facebow that would be inserted into her mouth and held in place with bands and tubes on her back upper teeth. This would be for 14 to 16 hours a day. The bow would then curve around and protrude from her mouth and be hooked to these straps with elastic bands. The straps would go over the top of her head and around her neck. We were given an example Facebow to hold but i could see she was very uneasy and i know this may sound stupid but she snd I did not even want to hold it, let alone have it worn in her mouth...
The doctor was very helpful, explained everything, and that it would only be a bit sore in the beginning, she would soon get used to it all but it was not the medical side that was the main issue, it was more the emotional, social, and self-conscious aspects that made tough.
She has now been very withdrawn, distant over the last weeks, and we go week after next to start with her braces fitting. I tried to talk to her about it but it came out all wrong but i can see how worried she is about this and how it will feel for her, her self conscious , her friends, what about boys, etc. perhaps we just not good with this stuff but as a teenage it does not seem very pleasant ...can anyone help with this...
Apologies if this is too much but any experience you have had or ideas will be greatly appreciated...
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self esteem problems - teenage daughter with braces and headgear!!!
31 replies
Chantal2009 · 11/11/2013 17:04
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