7 Tips for Surviving Braces

As a mom to four kids ages 5 to 15, I've already been through braces, retainers, oral surgery and a MOUTH CRANK with my kids. Yes, a mouth crank is a thing. It's called an expander and devoted mothers crank it a quarter turn each night in order to open up space in the top of kids' mouths before the braces go on. The things we do for love, right? Braces and other orthodontia are an expensive investment. It's not a lot of fun but it costs a lot of money, so make the best of it with these 7 tips. - By Kacy Faulconer

MORE ON BABBLE
12 simple ways to boost your kid's self-esteem
13 shocking vintage children's medicine ads
The 7 dumbest things I thought before I had a kid