Is Your Teen Self Conscious about Braces? 3 Options Worth Considering

Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager? Were you ever self conscious about how you looked? Odds are, you probably were. Teenagers these days still feel the need to fit in and few things can make them feel more self conscious than their appearance, especially when it comes to their smile. If your teen is feeling self conscious about getting braces, there are some options you should be aware of.

Clear Braces

Colored braces or even plain metal ones can be enough to make your teen uncomfortable, if for no other reason than that it may make them feel like everyone’s attention will be drawn to their mouth whenever it opens. This is understandably uncomfortable. Clear braces offer a less visible alternative. Often made from ceramic, they are structured similarly to traditional metal braces and offer comparable results. They do tend to be more expensive, but the tradeoff in self esteem may be worth it.

Invisalign

Braces do a pretty good job of forcing teeth into their correct positions. Not all cases require the same amount of force though. If your teen’s teeth don’t require the extra oomph that braces offer, Invisalign could do the trick. This teeth straightening method tends to be far more convenient, using clear, removable aligners to put teeth where they ought to be. Their clear nature makes them very subtle, while the removable aspect makes it far easier to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly.

Lingual Braces

But what if your teen needs braces but can’t stand the idea of them being visible? Did you know that braces don’t always have to be on the front side of the teeth? Lingual braces are placed on the back sides of the teeth. As such, they are practically invisible. This also means that once they are removed, any resulting discoloration from the braces will also be hidden on the back sides of the teeth. They are highly customizable and very effective, though they can be a little tougher to clean. Wearers must be very thorough in cleaning their teeth and around the braces.

Feeling good about your smile can be a real confidence booster, while the reverse is true as well. If your teen needs braces but feels self conscious about wearing them, there are less visible options that are worth considering. Remember, it’s always good to look into all the options on the table before making a final decision.

Ready to make your decision? Take a look at our Invisalign for Teens services.