may is national teen self esteem month

National Teen Self-Esteem Month was created to raise public awareness about low self-esteem and how it can affect teens. Negative self-image affects many aspects of their everyday lives. Some evidence shows learning disabilities and increased risk of eating disorders can originate in a teen’s low self-esteem. It can also lead to drug abuse and suicidal thoughts.

Each day teens and pre-teens arrive at the orthodontist office for tooth and/or bite corrections. Having a beautiful smile will help a child’s confidence and self-esteem, however, a mouth full of braces may make some patients even more self-conscious.

Between the ages of 11 and 13 there is an undefined cut-off point when adolescents cease to perceive stainless steel braces as “cool”, “fun” and “part of the crowd”. This tends to be an age when the very last thing a teenager wants is to have more attention directed to them. For those young adults, Invisalign is a much more sought after treatment towards obtaining a perfect smile.

Dr. Foote understands the battle of “cost” vs. “want”. This is why our office takes the cost factor out of the equation. Our teen patients are generally able to be treated with Invisalign for the same cost as stainless steel braces. Parents won’t have to worry about increased fees, and their children won’t worry about the visibility of stainless braces.

We all understand the importance of a healthy, positive self-esteem, not only during the month of May, but every single day. At Foote Orthodontics, we not only correct malocclusions, we also strive to increase our patient’s positive self-image, adolescents and adults alike.

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