About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their child is first told they need orthodontic work and is reacting with fear, vanity concerns, or physical apprehension. This guide acts as a bridge between the clinical dental office and the child's daily life, offering a clear explanation of why teeth grow crookedly and what the corrective process actually entails. It addresses the practicalities of hygiene and food restrictions alongside the significant emotional hurdles of feeling different or unattractive during middle school. While the book was published in the early 1980s, the biological foundations and the social anxieties of being a 'metal-mouth' remain timeless for the 9 to 14 age group. It normalizes the experience of wearing braces, transforming a scary medical procedure into a manageable rite of passage. Parents can use this to lower their child's anxiety and provide a roadmap for the self-care required to keep their new smile healthy.
