Objective To explore the effect of "aesthetically motivated" oral nursing based on behavior change theory in children undergoing early orthodontic treatment. Methods A total of 120 children undergoing early orthodontic treatment admitted to Stomatological Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University from June 2023 to June 2025 were selected, and they were divided into the control group and the experimental group by the random number table method, with 60 children in each group. The control group received conventional nursing, and the experimental group received "aesthetically motivated" oral nursing based on behavior change theory. The dental alignment aesthetics, aesthetic satisfaction, facial aesthetic parameters, periodontal indexes and adverse event rate were compared between the two groups. Results After intervention, the scores of dental crowding, spacing and midline deviation in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After intervention, the scores of dental regularity, labio-dental coordination and overall aesthetics in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The nasolabial angle, mentolabial groove depth and lip protrusion in the experimental group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). After intervention, the GI and PLI in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse events in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The application of "aesthetically motivated" oral nursing based on behavior change theory in children undergoing early orthodontic treatment has a definite effect, which can effectively improve dental alignment aesthetics, enhance aesthetic satisfaction, optimize aesthetic parameters, reduce periodontal indexes and the incidence of adverse events.