Orthodontic Braces For Children & When To Start Teeth Straightening
HOW OLD SHOULD A CHILD BE TO BEGIN WEARING DENTAL BRACES?
So many parents wonder how old children should be before they are evaluated and start wearing braces. Some orthodontists recommend that a child should be 10 or 12 years old before orthodontic work is done. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, every 7 year old should be checked. Consider anything that will improve your child’s appearance and development. This will be an enormous investment and emotional lift as he or she goes through teen-age and young adult years.
KNOW WHY YOUR CHILD MIGHT NEED BRACES EARLY
There are several reasons why your child might need braces sooner, rather than later. Some children have crowded teeth that are either overlapping each other, rotated or appear blocked out. There might be a distance problem with an open bite or a deep bite. An open bite can lead to a nutritional deficiency. A deep bite can require a more complex surgery later if left unattended. An overbite or underbite are also important to identify and correct.
The following video explains each bite formation further with helpful visual aides.
DO YOU SEE SPACE OR A GAP IN YOUR CHILD'S TEETH?
If you see space or gaps between teeth, this may be easily corrected with a clear plastic retainer that can be tightened in a couple of spots to pull the teeth together. The orthodontist in the video below explains this process and what other steps may be needed in order to close the gap between the teeth.
HOW LONG SHOULD CHILDREN WEAR BRACES?
It is important for you to know how long your child will need to wear braces because this could affect the total cost. With your first visit, be sure to consult with your orthodontist. It could average from 12 to 24 months,or longer in the case of severe issues. The most minor problem could be narrowing a space between two front teeth. Or, it could be major, like a misaligned bite, which would require longer time to correct the problem. Basically, treatment time will depend on the distance teeth have to be moved to correct the specific issue.
ARE BRACES UNCOMFORTABLE OR DO THEY HURT?
You can expect orthodontic braces to be uncomfortable at times. They are performing a major function or correction on your teeth.
Below are some of the things you should and should not do:
“Do’s” While Wearing Braces
- Do brush and floss your teeth after every meal.
- Do use a separate toothbrush to clean your braces.
- Do ask your orthodontist to recommend an antibacterial mouthwash.
- Do drink water and milk because they neutralize the acids caused from eating sweets. (Sugarless gum stimulates saliva which can be benefitial to your teeth.)
“Don’ts” While Wearing Braces
- Never remove the bands on your braces, even if they hurt. Report this to your orthodontist.
- Avoid chewing gum and do not eat candy, especially chewy and gummy candies because it can deposit sugars or acids on your teeth which can increase decay and cavities.
- Do not bite down on anything hard or frozen, like ice. It is wise, too, to avoid peanuts or nuts, popcorn, pretzels, and other hard snacks.
Above all, follow your orthodontist’s instructions at all times and follow his recommendation on what type of braces will work best for your child.
If you’re looking for financial assistance for your child’s dental braces, consider using a dental discount plan. It offers a discount that likely will save you several hundred dollars. Unlike orthodontic insurance, you will be able to use a dental discount plan immediately for all of your dental needs – except braces already in progress by another orthodontist.
Click the sign-up link below to see the price, plan choices and all the benefits!
Joining a dental discount plan is as EASY as A, B, C...
- Find a dentist => Click Here
- Then click on the link below to get started.
After you join, your ID# will be e-mailed to you. Print your e-mail receipt and show it to your dentist.
Important: Once you become a member, If for any reason you decide that it’s not for you, you can cancel at anytime. We want you to be pleased with your membership so you will refer more people to this site.
⇒ Review Dental Discount Plan Details
Wearing dental braces typically costs less with a dental discount plan. This company offers orthodontic braces for children as well as adults. It’s available in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.