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Braces for kids are quite common for both corrective and preventative measures and can ensure proper teeth alignment, a strong and healthy bite, and a smile they can display with confidence as they enter into adolescence and adulthood. Robison Orthodontics strongly believes in the value of braces treatment for kids, especially when oral health issues are present.
Arming yourself with a better understanding of potential issues to look for, when to begin seeking orthodontic assessments, and the different types of braces and other treatments available for your child can empower you to take control of your child’s oral hygiene. Of course, every child is unique, and so are their teeth, which means consulting with our pediatric orthodontic team is crucial when you’re considering braces for your child. Learn more about braces for kids at Robison Orthodontics.
Many parents who needed braces themselves begin wondering how young you should be when you get braces. There is no definitive answer to that question because every child is unique. However, while there is no exact age for children to get braces, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children start visiting an orthodontist around seven years old for their first assessment.
By age seven, most children will have a mix of baby teeth and their first adult teeth, allowing our orthodontist to more accurately diagnose any potential tooth and jaw issues as soon as possible, preventing future problems or surgical intervention. Even if your child is younger than seven years old but you notice that something is off about their teeth or jaw alignment, it is recommended that you bring your child in for an evaluation as soon as possible.
Signs of potential problems to look for include:
While children can begin visiting the orthodontist as early as seven, they may not actually wear braces until a bit later. Still, early intervention can prevent future problems and limit the treatment or potential surgical intervention necessary to fix oral issues. That leaves parents wondering when their child will need braces or whether kids can get braces at all.
There is a common misconception that braces are only for teens or adolescents, but many kids can benefit from braces before their teen years. In fact, the recommended age for getting braces for most people is between the ages of 10 and 14.
There are a number of reasons why this is considered the best age range for receiving braces, including:
Between 10 and 14, children will have the majority of their adult teeth in place. However, their jaw and soft tissue are not nearly as dense as they will be as a grown adult, which means that less pressure is required to reposition and align their teeth. The more pressure required to reposition adult teeth, the more painful and uncomfortable braces can be for the patient.
Ages 10 to 14 is also the optimal time to fix any misalignment and bite problems your child may have. Misalignments can cause regular pain, tooth decay, and other dental issues as they grow into adulthood. A misaligned jaw can also lead to crossbite, which could cause problems with chipping teeth, jaw pain, and even improper jaw development.
Deep bites, open bites, and underbites can cause significant problems in your child’s oral health as they get older. These issues arise when the jaw does not sit properly due to an over-correction of misaligned teeth or other development issues. Bite misalignment can cause additional damage to the gums, painful chewing, tooth damage, jaw pain, and more. It is important to address these issues as early as possible to prevent more serious damage into adulthood.
Many children go through a stage in which they suck their thumbs for comfort. While some may abandon this habit early, some people stop sucking their thumbs just before their adolescent years. Issues resulting from thumb sucking should be addressed as early as possible to prevent ongoing issues. Thumb sucking can cause tooth and jaw development issues as the jaw begins to create room for the habit. Thumb sucking can inadvertently move the teeth out of alignment, creating additional problems.
Teeth crowding and isolated spacing or gaps in the mouth can cause additional oral hygiene issues, like plaque buildup that can lead to tooth decay. It is crucial that crowding and hygiene issues are taken care of at a young age, preventing any further complications into adulthood.
These are just a few of the reasons that your child may benefit from braces at a young age. Schedule a consultation with Robison Orthodontics to determine if braces are right for your child.
Schedule an evaluation at Robison Orthodontics at the first sign of any issues.
Common issues include:
You do not need to wait for a recommendation from a pediatric dentist to bring your child in for an orthodontic evaluation. Being proactive and getting ahead of any major dental issues is always the preferred course of action in order to prevent further complications in the future. If you notice any signs of the above, contact our team to schedule a consultation.
Orthodontic technology has come a long way since braces first hit the market decades ago. Most people still associate braces with traditional metal braces, but there are many different types of braces available, even for kids. Here are some of the more common types of braces.
The most popular type of braces, traditional braces, are metal brackets that attach to the teeth with dental adhesive. Wires connect each bracket to provide added pressure to move the teeth into the desired position. Traditional metal braces are known to be both cost-effective and reliable.
A common alternative to traditional braces, mini-braces still utilize metal brackets. They do, however, take up less space in the child’s mouth and are less visible. They are also generally more comfortable than traditional braces but may not be as powerful in moving teeth into the proper position.
One of the most increasingly popular types of braces, Invisalign is a set of clear aligners that the child wears to obtain proper alignment. Unlike traditional or mini-braces that are metal, Invisalign allows for the child to remove them in order to eat and brush their teeth. The biggest draw to clear aligners is the fact that they are the least visible of any type of braces. They are, however, the most expensive braces solution and require replacing the aligners as the teeth shift.
Another common alternative to metal braces is ceramic braces, which utilize a ceramic bracket to blend into the surface of the tooth. These can provide quicker alignment than Invisalign and are similar to metal braces. However, the drawbacks of ceramic braces are that they are larger than metal braces and are generally less durable.
Self-ligating braces are similar to traditional metal braces. However, instead of using elastic bands to provide additional pressure to realign the teeth, they use metal clips that can be adjusted smoothly and quickly. Self-ligating braces can work faster and allow children to move their jaw more freely.
Not all children require a full set of braces to effectively correct any misalignments. Partial braces can be a great alternative to a full set of metal brackets in treating the part of the child’s mouth that requires attention.
It’s essential to remember that because each individual child’s overall oral makeup is unique. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and it’s always recommended that you consult with your orthodontist before making an informed decision.
How long braces will need to be worn is often one of the top questions both parents and children have. In the majority of cases, the treatment timeline of braces for children will last somewhere between 12 and 24 months, depending on the type of braces involved as well as the severity of the orthodontic issue. However, each individual child and diagnosis is unique and requires a personalized timeline for treatment.
For a more precise estimate, it’s best to schedule a consultation with Robison Orthodontics to receive a personalized treatment plan.
Oral hygiene can raise many questions, particularly when it comes to children. Here are some of the most common questions we field at our office.
Yes, your 7-year-old can have braces. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), children should attend their first orthodontic checkup around age seven with the purpose of recognizing any potential orthodontic problems. This is because most children around seven years old have a healthy mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth that will give an orthodontist information regarding the child’s current and future alignment. An orthodontist may or may not recommend braces at this time.
There is no age limit for braces. In fact, as long as you have permanent teeth and a healthy jawbone, you can be eligible for braces. Although the overall process may be slightly different in adults than in children or teens, more and more adults are choosing to get braces in order to correct long term issues and improve their smile.
Keep in mind, however, that you may avoid many painful and costly procedures by addressing orthodontic issues early.
If you wear your retainer every night, your teeth will stay straight indefinitely. Patients who do not wear their retainers could lose the benefits of straight teeth, as subtle shifting is a natural process that happens to everyone.
In many cases, braces may take a bit longer for adults than for children or teens because adult jaws are less malleable than their younger counterparts. This can mean it will take a little longer for teeth to shift into place. However, treatments like AcceleDent and PROPEL can help remodel the jaw tissue and move teeth more quickly.
Braces are great for your health because they make your teeth easier to clean. This can reduce the occurrence of gum disease and tooth decay. When people have a beautiful smile, they tend to protect that smile by taking extra care when brushing and flossing.
Oral health is linked to overall health. You can reduce your risk of developing health problems, especially problems related to the cardiovascular system, by undergoing orthodontic treatment.
All parents want to do what’s right for their children. Bringing your child to an orthodontist for an evaluation provides them with the opportunity for early oral health issue detection and orthodontic intervention.
Together, you and Robison Orthodontics can prevent or limit any potential orthodontic issues they may face in the years to come.
Our experienced team at Robison Orthodontics is here to guide you and your child through the entire treatment process. From the first assessment to ongoing treatment, we take pride in cultivating a welcoming environment for patients of all ages. With our help, you can have a smile that leaves you filled with confidence.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation and let our team help you and your child smile a little brighter.
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