Braces and time off school

[Brian9600]

DD (13) is having braces fitted next week. I’d assumed she could go back to school after her appointment but a friend has told me that she’ll need the whole day off and possibly the next day as well as she’ll be in some discomfort.

I’ve never had braces so don’t know much about it. Just wondered what other people had found and whether your children took time off.

Thanks.

No my dd didn't have time off for her braces. She probably got them on at the end of school though and then went in the next day (with soft food as a packed lunch)

All my daughters appointments have been after school apart from the fitting which I had to have in school time, got a 10am, took just over an hour then back to school she was absolutely fine, need some paracetamol next day but no time off school. Did manage to break hers 2 weeks in on some wotsits though

My DD had them fitted after school and was back in the next day. Eating was a bit slow going for a couple of days, but that was the only problem. I can't recall exactly, but maybe she had a couple of paracetemol too.

It does hurt but not immediately after. DD was in some discomfort a few days later once the teeth really started moving. However no tine off school fgs! Just alternated paracetamol and ibuprofen every 3-4 hours and she managed.

Thousands of kids do this every year and manage!

I used to give a painkiller to ds in the car before his appointment so it was working by the time they were fitted/tightened. Ds never had a day off with them although they can be sore and take some getting used to.

DD had hers fitted too late to go back to school but I don't think it was so uncomfortable that she couldn't have gone back. They do recommend you to take paracetamol (and to do this subsequently when the braces are tightened). Eating is uncomfortable for a little while, but doesn't affect school attendance.
We've always booked subsequent appointments for first thing so she misses the start of school but not too much.

I have braces now as adult. When I got them fitted, my mouth was pretty sore for the first couple days and I could only eat soft foods for about 3 days. I was taking regular painkillers. Kids probably adapt better. If it was mine I would allow the rest of the day off depending on what classes they had that particular day.

DD was told it would be like a headache in her gums when the brace was first fitted. Agree with soft foods for a few days, although DD was generally fine after tightenings except for the first set of rigid wires. I used to administer liquid paracetamol in the car park immediately after tightenings to try and keep the pain to a minimum. The brace really worked well for her and was definitely worth it.

Thank you, everybody.