With summer officially kicked off we hope you and your family are enjoying the weather, no school, and hopefully some vacation time! While orthodontics might not be on the top of your list when it comes to summer activities, it's a
ctually a very popular time for children to start treatment. Without the pressures of lunch with friends or speaking in front of the class, summer gives children time to adjust to treatment. At Eastern Virginia Orthodontics, we want our patients to enjoy every minute of the orthodontic journey, so we've outline some of the benefits of starting treatment during the summer!
Scheduling
During the summer, kids have much more free time, as they're not bogged down by homework and extracurriculars. We know how difficult the school weeks can be, as you may struggle to find time for family activities and dinners. This can be very helpful, particularly at the start of orthodontic treatment. Not having to plan around the school day gives you much more flexibility in appointment scheduling, helping your child get started with treatment quickly and easily.
Time to Adjust
Whether your child is getting braces or Invisalign, orthodontic treatment usually takes some time to adjust to. While braces don't "hurt," there's often a feeling of soreness and a slight effect on speech for the first week of treatment or so. Getting braces during the summer gives patients time to adjust to their appliances, so by the time they're back in school to see their friends again, they're proud to flaunt their smile!
Easier to Control Diet
Generally, your teen will need to avoid certain foods to protect braces and keep teeth healthy, steering clear of overly crunchy, hard, sticky, gooey treats. In school, this can be harder to do, as cafeterias often offer limited choices – but at home, you can put together braces-friendly snacks and meals to make eating right for braces easy.
Schedule A Summer Consultation at Eastern Virginia Orthodontics
Summer is the perfect time to get started with braces, and whether you live in Norfolk, Chesapeake or Virginia Beach, our three office locations make an appointment never far away. We hope you have a great summer and look forward to seeing you soon!