There are a number of different reasons why children may need to get braces. Crooked teeth, overlapping teeth and overbites or under-bites are just a few of the most common problems that children are faced with. Many parents opt to have braces secured to their children’s teeth in order to correct the problems that they are dealing with.
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Choosing to take care of these dental issues early with braces means that children will not have to wear braces later in life when it may be more embarrassing or uncomfortable for them.
Before your child gets braces, though, there are some things about the process that you should know.
Why does my child need braces?
One of the first questions that parents may ask themselves is, “Why does my child need braces?” and “How is the dentist able to tell?” Many times, you may start to notice problems within their mouth at home.
When baby teeth are lost and adult teeth start to come in, you may notice that the teeth are over-crowded or are coming in crooked. Braces are the ideal solution that can sort out these common types of dental issues.
Upon a regular dental visit, your dentist may notice that your child may have a discrepancy in the size of their jaws. When the upper and lower jaws of the mouth are a different size, this can result in an overbite or an under-bite.
If the dentist notices minor or major problems within your kids mouth, he or she may refer you to an orthodontist who specializes in correcting jaws and teeth alignments.
Different types of braces
Today, there are several different types of braces that you may be able to choose from. Your average braces with wires and rubber bands are ideal for those who simply need their teeth to shift into the correct positions and to align properly.
These are available in metal, clear and white ceramic varieties. Clear and removable braces may be used by those who do not have bite problems, while more advanced devices such as headgear are available for larger issues.
How long are braces needed?
The amount of time that your child will need braces entirely depends on the severity of their bite problem or teeth misalignments. The average amount of time that kids wear braces is around two years followed by wearing molded retainers for a period of time.
Taking care of braces
When your kids get braces, it is important to take care of them properly so that you avoid any potential issues. Because food can get stuck in braces easily, brushing their teeth after every meal is an absolute must. Some foods should also be avoided such as gum and sticky candy which can damage the braces.
By knowing the basics of braces, you will have a good idea of what to expect when your child has them put onto his or her teeth. There are also insurance plans and grants available for those in need of braces who are unable to afford them.
This article uses information from Franklin Dental Centre.
Anica Oaks
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Kids nowadays love to wear braces already. But one thing that they should consider first is to ask the orthodontist if they really need it or not.
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Thank you for reading and adding in your thoughts, Kevin. Very much appreciated!
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