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Tips To Help Your Child Handle Bullying, Braces, and Crooked Teeth

Teenager pointing at braces

Bullying can be a stressful and distressing experience for any child, and it can become even more challenging when that bullying is targeted by their braces or crooked teeth. As parents, it’s important to provide our children with the tools and support they need to navigate these situations. At Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Indianapolis, we understand the impact that bullying can have on a child’s self-esteem. In this article, we’ll share some valuable tips to help your child handle bullying related to braces or crooked teeth and help empower them.

Tips For Helping Your Child with Bullying

If your child suffers from malocclusion or dental misalignments, they have likely experienced bullying at one point in their life. Many studies have shown that children with dental misalignments, such as gaps, missing teeth, and overbites, are more likely to be bullied. This problem can easily contribute to insecurity about their appearance and make their school life much more stressful. 

As parents, we want to help our children overcome these challenges, and there is hope! While bullying is a serious issue for many adolescents, it’s always important to keep an open mind for every child to help them navigate these issues before they get out of hand. 

If you want to help your child, consider these approaches: 

  • Promote Self-Acceptance: Encourage your child to embrace their unique features, even if they have braces or crooked teeth. Help them learn that their worth isn’t defined by their appearance but by their character. 
  • Highlight Their Strengths: Help them identify their strengths and talents beyond their appearance by encouraging them to focus on hobbies and activities they enjoy and give them a sense of accomplishment. 
  • Teach The About Assertiveness: Teach them about being assertive when communicating, such as using “I feel” statements, and help them learn about boundaries. You can also engage with them through roleplay to help give them strategies to respond better to bullying. 
  • Give Them a Social Network: Most of all, help them and give them the space to build a supportive network of friends who understand and value them for who they are. These friends can be their lifeline when you cannot connect with your child, and these friendships can help give them a safe, social environment to grow and thrive. 

Visit Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry Indianapolis Today For Your Child’s Regular Checkup

If your child’s facing issues with bullying related to their braces or crooked teeth, help them learn that with their treatments, they can be empowered by their care and growth regarding their health. At Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Indianapolis, IN, our caring team can help you and your child effectively manage these scenarios and care for their oral health. If you need assistance or dental advice, don’t hesitate to contact Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Indianapolis by calling (317) 580-9199. Together under the care of Dr. Swati Singh, we can help your child thrive and maintain a positive outlook.