Does My Child Need Braces?
An estimated 4 million people in the United States are wearing braces at any given time. So how do you know if your child should be one of them? Your child’s orthodontist is the best-informed person to make the decision, but there are many signs that may suggest your child will need braces at some point. Braces, like most orthodontia, have many other benefits besides straight teeth! Braces can help improve your child’s bite, make it easier to brush and floss (preventing disease), and improve your child’s speech. Let’s look at the average ages and indicators for orthodontic intervention.
Average Ages for Orthodontics
Research shows that children should first see an orthodontist around the age of seven, while they are beginning to lose their baby teeth and grow permanent teeth. This time is ideal for your orthodontist to identify issues that may have the potential to worsen so they can intervene before the mouth is finished growing. Braces, in particular, are usually placed between the ages of 9 and 14. Usually, all permanent teeth have grown in by age 12, which makes it a good age for braces; the permanent teeth can still be manipulated before your child enters puberty and their jaw is fully developed. Though your child may feel uncomfortable having to get braces before or after their friends at school have them- they will thank you in the long run for a lifetime of straight teeth!
Phase 1- Early Intervention
When your child is around the age of 7, orthodontists can identify problems and determine if treatment is needed to prevent problems from worsening; examples include bite issues, jaw growth, and the spacing of the teeth. Early intervention orthodontics can also correct the size of the jaw, which can enable a child to breathe properly (and truly change a life!). Orthodontists are trained to detect subtle problems with the bite or the way the jaw is growing. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, early treatment may give your orthodontist the chance to guide jaw growth, correct harmful oral habits, and guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position. If a problem is identified this early on, your orthodontist will likely take early intervention methods before eventually recommending braces.
Phase 2- Braces
If your child did not need early intervention orthodontics, they should still be visiting the orthodontist as they grow to determine whether or not they will need braces. Teeth that are crooked, crowded, or overlapping are all common reasons for a child to need braces. If your child’s jaw does not align (i.e an overbite or underbite), braces can help adjust it back into place. If you have not brought your child to an orthodontist before, it’s not too late! No referral is needed to see the orthodontist.
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most common type of braces, made of high-quality, durable stainless steel. The brackets, which are bonded to the front of each tooth, are connected by the archwire, which helps guide the teeth into the correct positions. Today's metal braces are smaller, more comfortable, and more attractive than what existed even just 10 years ago. We see our braces patients about every 8-12 weeks to change the colors, wires and check brushing!
Lightforce Braces
In addition to traditional metal braces, the Weaver Orthodontics team is an Authorized Provider of Lightforce Braces, which are 3D printed braces that Dr. Weaver customizes for each individual tooth. Because they are customized, they fit better and are more comfortable than regular metal braces. Lightforce braces are the latest technology in orthodontics and allows for smile straightening solutions that are unique to every patient.
It’s not too late!
Please don’t panic if you feel it may be too late for your child to get braces: there is always time. The Dental Tribune estimated that 27% of orthodontic patients were over the age of 18 in the year 2016, and this number continues to rise as adults in the US realize the many important benefits of braces. Though it is always best to take your child to the orthodontist from a young age, it is never too late for braces!
Though having straight teeth is highly desirable for aesthetic reasons, there are some truly incredible benefits of orthodontia. Improved breathing, eating, and sleeping patterns are all linked to properly aligned teeth and jaws. Having straight teeth will help your child keep their mouth clean, preventing tooth decay and gum disease. If you have consulted with an orthodontist and decided that your child doesn’t need braces- that’s wonderful! Just be sure to continue to teach them healthy oral habits and schedule regular dental visits, as they will be able to spot potential problems that may need orthodontic intervention. If you think your child may need braces, schedule a consultation with Weaver Orthodontics today!
