When is the right time to get braces on? It’s a question we hear a lot – not just from an age standpoint, but from a school year perspective. Parents and kids alike are often apprehensive about getting their braces on because they aren’t sure what they’re signing up for – and sometimes parents have negative memories of wearing braces themselves.

The good news is that technology has changed so much, even in the last 10 years – the braces you may have worn as a kid are definitely different from the smile systems we use at OBC.

Have you stopped by our office? At OBC, we try to put parents and kids at ease by not only keeping things low-key and relaxed with our beach-themed office but also by providing the information you need to make the right decision for you and your family. While we’re on the topic of the beach, you guessed it, SUMMER is a really great time for your kid (or YOU!) to get braces.

Why? To state the obvious, school is out in summer – that means most kids have more free time. We believe it’s the perfect time to begin orthodontic work because you won’t be stretched to fit both your schedule and your kid’s school schedule into our office hours. (Also, it’s easier, here in the Northern Virginia region, where there’s usually lots of traffic, to get in and out even faster!)

Another reason to consider summer is that it will give your child time to adjust to the look and feel of their new braces before heading back to school in the fall. We all know that teenagers are self-conscious and that the adjustment period of summer can help them ease into their new look. Having time to get used to the new smile, away from the classroom, is especially good for children who struggle with self-image. They will get used to talking, smiling, and eating with braces before they have to do those things at school.

A benefit of starting in summer is that when kids are at home more, they are less likely to forget to brush and provide the extra care that braces require because they have fewer distractions. It’s a great time to develop good oral hygiene habits that will keep their teeth in good health while the braces are on.

And last but not least, summer is great for ice cream cones and frozen treats – and that is just what feels great on new braces. While we know braces aren’t as painful as they used to be, we are firm believers that ice cream always helps!