My 15 yo DD has had fixed braces for the past 3 years. She's supposed to wear them with the elastics but she never bothers with these. Last year, the orthodontist said that she was almost ready to get them out, if only she would wear the elastics. Well, she doesn't. I've had so many arguments with her about it but she just refuses to wear them. So, I've more or less given up. I refuse to go with her to the appointments as the orthodontist will look at me as if it is my responsibility that she wears them and I've literally tried everything I could think of (threats/treats, withholding phone, etc.). I would think that the idea of them almost going out would be all the more reason to actively cooperate with the instructions, but it seems the teenage mind doesn't work that way. How would you approach this? The topic will come up in the future again as it is likely that she will have to wear a retainer/removable braces to keep her teeth in place for the next year. And I can be sure that she will not wear that one either.
I find this incredibly short sighted and it is hugely frustrating (not to mention a waste of money) but it seems I am the only one who cares. She was firmly in favor of getting the braces in the first place, as her teeth were all over the place but it seems that now she doesn't want to make any effort any more.