Your child can have a dental issue that requires orthodontic care. You might notice that a child has crooked permanent teeth as they erupt. In this case, the child needs braces or Invisalign. There are significant advancements in orthodontic treatment that offer children several orthodontic treatment options. Braces are the go-to orthodontic treatment option due to their effectiveness. If you suspect your child needs braces, consult a reputable orthodontist. At Northridge Advanced Dentistry, we have experienced dentists who provide high-quality orthodontic care at an affordable cost.
When Does a Child Require Braces?
The age at which a child can acquire braces varies from one child to another. Orthodontic treatment can commence when a child is between 8 and 14 years old. A child has some or all their permanent teeth at this age range. Some orthodontic problems like crowding, crooked, or protruding upper teeth are hereditary. Other orthodontic problems can develop over time when your child:
- Has poor oral hygiene
- Has poor nutrition
- Suck their fingers, or
- Breath through their mouth
Most orthodontists do not recommend orthodontic treatment immediately, even if they identify a problem that might need braces. Instead, they take the "wait-and-see" approach or try other treatment options.
However, this does not mean there are no valid reasons for opting for braces, even if a child is a teen or pre-puberty. Orthodontic treatment could be the best option when a child is still growing and does not feel comfortable with how their teeth appear.
Your general dentist can help determine if your child requires orthodontic treatment, regardless of age. The earlier you commence orthodontic treatment, the better the results. You do not need a recommendation or referral from a dentist to see an orthodontist. Therefore, you can visit an orthodontist without consulting a general dentist.
The Benefits of Braces for Children
As a parent, you could be wondering if your child requires braces. Apart from the aesthetic advantages of braces, the following are some of the additional benefits a child can reap from braces:
Braces Can Correct Speech Difficulties
A child can have problems with speech if their teeth lean too far forward or backward or are out of line. This can cause embarrassment and frustration to a child. In this situation, braces can help adjust the position of the child’s teeth. Braces could set the teeth up for the ability to have clear speech. In addition to seeking orthodontic treatment, you can also involve a speech specialist, depending on the severity of the speech delay.
Reduces the Risk of Gum Disease
Your child might have challenges brushing crooked, overlapping, or crowded teeth. Bacteria buildup can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Orthodontic treatment can reduce the risk of tooth decay because straight teeth are easier to clean.
Increased Confidence
A child’s self-esteem and confidence can be enhanced when their teeth are straight and beautiful.
Improved Oral Health
Problems like a misaligned bite can be corrected using braces. A misaligned bite causes abnormal and hazardous stress on specific areas of the mouth and teeth, weakening the teeth and making them susceptible to chipping and breaking.
Long-Term Cost Saving
Recognizing the long-term cost savings associated with braces when considering orthodontic treatment for your child is essential. Typically, orthodontic treatment requires an upfront financial commitment but could lead to significant savings in the future. Braces can help you save money in the following ways:
- Avoiding complex dental procedures
- Preventing future dental issues
- Longer lifespan of dental work
The Right Age For a Child To Obtain Braces
Your child's age can determine whether the child is a good candidate for braces. However, some children mature slower than others. A child’s development can affect the time it takes to develop permanent teeth. Most orthodontists recommend orthodontic treatment when a child is seven years old. However, the ideal age range for braces is between 11 and 14. Shifting teeth and correcting a bite is easier and less complicated when the jawbone is still developing. It is easier to align or straighten a child's than an adult’s teeth.
Orthodontic treatment can be effective for an adolescent, especially when he/she has developed a complete set of permanent teeth. Braces can shift the positions of the new permanent teeth. It is challenging for an orthodontist to determine the suitable treatment type when the teeth erupt or when a child still has baby teeth.
Most dental health professionals recommend that children undergo an evaluation when they are younger, even if an orthodontist cannot work on their teeth immediately. A child can have their teeth checked for possible problems, which braces could address when they are seven.
Signs That Your Child Requires Braces
Parents must monitor their children’s teeth regularly and report concerns to a dentist. How can you know if it is time for your child to acquire braces? It might be time to make an appointment with an orthodontist for an evaluation if your child is experiencing any of the following problems:
Speech Problems
Sometimes, misaligned teeth can affect your child’s air control and pronunciation. If a child mispronounces some words or struggles with speech, an orthodontist can work together with a speech pathologist.
Trouble Biting or Chewing
Misaligned teeth can adversely influence a child’s ability to chew comfortably. A child’s bite could be misaligned, and their teeth could be crooked if he/she experiences problems while trying to eat. A child’s bite could also be misaligned if the child bites their tongue or inner cheeks frequently.
Mouth or Jaw Pain
You might see all orthodontic problems present in a child’s mouth. However, a child can experience specific symptoms. Just because an orthodontic issue is invisible does not mean it is less significant. There could be an underlying orthodontic problem if your child experiences mouth or jaw pain regularly. Apart from seeing a dentist, you should take your child to an orthodontist to determine the cause of the discomfort.
Teeth Have Too Much Space Between Them
This problem is the opposite of crowded teeth, but it can still cause problems. Fortunately, it can be addressed with braces or Invisalign.
Crooked Teeth
Most people visit orthodontists because of crooked teeth. There are many reasons why your child can develop crooked teeth. If the permanent teeth develop around baby teeth, crooked teeth can result. Crooked teeth can also occur if the jaw is not large enough to accommodate adult teeth.
Crooked or crowded teeth can prevent a child from adequately cleaning their teeth. Misaligned or crooked teeth can also make a child self-conscious. An orthodontist can move crooked teeth back into place using traditional braces or Invisalign.
Teeth Do Not Meet On Either Side
Your child could have a crossbite if the bottom and top teeth on the sides of the mouth do not line up when the child closes their mouth. Your child’s teeth could wear unevenly because of this. An orthodontist can fix a crossbite by aligning the teeth or jaws depending on what caused the crossbite.
Lower Teeth Overlap Upper Teeth
This condition is also known as underbite. Orthodontists treat this type of bite just as they do an overbite. An orthodontist could align a child’s jaws or teeth.
Upper Teeth Protrude Over Lower Teeth
Your child could have an overjet if their upper teeth jet out over the bottom teeth. A child can suffer trauma to their upper front teeth if he/she has extensive overjet.
Your child can also suffer trauma if he/she falls or gets hit in the face because the upper teeth take the impact. An orthodontist can correct an overjet using braces and rubber bands. Your orthodontist can recommend that the child undergo extractions or surgery to align the jaws or bite if the issue is serious.
Upper Teeth Overlap Lower Teeth
It is usual for a person to have an overbite where their upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. Your child could have an extensive overbite if you cannot see much of their lower teeth when he/she bites down. You should see an orthodontist to correct an extensive overbite and prevent premature tooth wear.
Options for Braces
It is good to seek orthodontic treatment if a child has a bite alignment issue or crooked teeth. The option you choose should correct the teeth before the child matures. The following are some of the options you could go for:
Clear Aligners
A child can be a good candidate for clear aligners like Invisalign rather than traditional braces. Your child can remove aligners just like retainers. However, a child must wear the aligners most hours of the day and night for optimal results.
Dental Veneers
Dentists can use veneers to mask crooked teeth. Veneers can change the appearance of your child’s smile, but they do not straighten the teeth.
Retainers
Once your child completes a treatment course with braces, an orthodontist can prescribe retainers for them. An orthodontist can make a set of retainers instead of braces if your child’s teeth are only mildly crooked.
Headgear
An orthodontist can recommend that your child wear orthodontic devices outside of the mouth if the child has a severe bite problem. However, these devices do not make the teeth straight. An orthodontist can combine a headgear with another treatment to align the individual teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces
The following are some of the commonly asked questions about braces:
How Do Braces Work?
Braces exert steady and gentle pressure to move the teeth gradually into their proper positions. The main components of dental braces are the brackets placed on the teeth and an archwire that connects them. When the archwire is placed on the brackets, it pulls to return to its original shape, exerting pressure to move the teeth to their ideal positions as they return to their original shape.
What Is The Cost Of Braces?
An orthodontist cannot give you the exact cost of braces until he/she examines your child. The cost of braces varies from patient to patient, depending on the severity of the orthodontic problem. However, there are financing alternatives that could accommodate your needs, such as insurance. Before seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, you should contact your dental insurance provider to determine if the procedure is covered.
Can Your Teeth Be Extracted Before An Orthodontist Places Braces?
Sometimes, tooth extraction is necessary to achieve the best orthodontic results. Orthodontic treatment aims to achieve a balanced facial profile and straight teeth. However, the jaws sometimes lack sufficient room to accommodate all the teeth. Fixing all the teeth could sometimes be more detrimental than beneficial, and the treatment outcome can fail. However, tooth removal is not always necessary because new technology has provided advanced procedures.
Do Braces Hurt?
Your child will not suffer injuries or experience pain if bands and braces are placed on your teeth. A child could experience some tenderness or soreness in the teeth for a few days once the orthodontist places braces and connects them with the archwires. The cheeks and lips could also take one to two weeks to adjust to the braces. It is normal to experience soreness after a braces adjustment.
Can I Schedule All Appointments After School?
Perhaps your child is in school, and you do not want them to miss school when undergoing orthodontic treatment. In most cases, an orthodontist cannot schedule all dental appointments during after-school hours. Generally, lengthy appointments are needed when placing braces. Most appointments take place in the morning or early afternoons. Your only child will miss minimal school because of orthodontic treatments since most appointments are scheduled four to eight weeks apart.
Are There Certain Foods A Child Cannot Eat With Braces On?
Your orthodontist will give you instructions and a list of foods your child should avoid once he/she commences treatment. The common foods your child could avoid include raw vegetables, hard candy, ice, and all stick foods. Adhering to the orthodontist’s instructions can prevent emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces.
Find a Reputable Orthodontist Near Me
Do you suspect that your child needs braces?
Some common indicators include misaligned or crooked teeth, bite problems, and gapped or crowded teeth. For the best results, work with an experienced orthodontist. At Northridge Advanced Dentistry, we take pride in being the go-to dental clinic for all orthodontic treatments. Contact us at 818-701-3010 to speak to one of our dentists.
