Is it safe to get braces for children? How old should a child be before they can wear braces, and what kind of braces should they apply for?
Braces for Children: 5 Things to Know
Getting braces is a big step, especially for kids. They’ll wear them for months or even years. It’s essential to take a step back first and discover whether it’s the right to get them.
Not sure where to start? Find out more about braces for children with our guide below. Read on and discover more:
1. Does My Child Need Braces
How do you know if your kid needs braces?
The first sign you should look for is difficulty biting or chewing. Misshapen, misplaced, crowded, or blocked-out teeth due to finger or thumb sucking and other habits is another sign to look out for. If their jaw or teeth don’t appear proportionate to the rest of their face, you should ask if braces might help.
It’s also time to consider braces if your child lost all their baby too early or too late. If their teeth cause them to bite their cheek or the roof of their mouth constantly, braces could also help. Inquire about braces if their teeth don’t meet or if they do so in an awkward manner.
At the very least, your child can benefit from braces because they guarantee a beautiful smile!
2. Are Braces for Children Safe
One major concern for a lot of people is whether or not braces do more harm than help. Is it safe for kids to get braces? You usually see braces on teenagers and adults, but is it acceptable to let children wear them too?
Keep in mind that braces are a form of corrective solution for a person’s teeth. They’re not for fashion or style.
Let’s get one fact straight: braces are safe for children to wear. They will help children realign their teeth to make sure they don’t experience any of the issues listed above. Straightening and realigning teeth will also help boost their confidence since they can now smile without the fear of people mocking them.
Are braces safe? Yes, they are safe for children. However, you might end up spending on braces twice if your child wears braces at an early age. That’s why the next thing topic to tackle is when your child should get braces.
3. What Age Can a Child Get Braces
Young children can get braces. Your dentist might recommend them early to deal with a significant health concern. This could be if your child’s teeth are causing abnormalities or a disproportion in the jaw.
Children might also need braces early if they experience extreme pain. Misshapen teeth or misplaced teeth can cause wounds inside the mouth.
Kids won’t need braces immediately if it’s for realignment or to deal with issues like overbite correction. It’s better to wait for the child to lose their baby teeth and have their permanent teeth in place. This cuts down the likelihood of correcting their teeth twice, therefore reducing your expenses too.
Dentists recommend waiting for braces until a child is at least seven years old. This is the average age most kids lose their baby teeth.
Most children get their braces between the ages of 7 and 14. This guarantees they have healthy, aligned teeth before they reach adulthood.
4. Types of Braces for Kids
Before you sign up your kid for braces, it’s best to decide which type to try. There are several variations, and each one offers different sets of pros and cons.
The most common type of braces is the traditional metal brace set. They are the most noticeable due to the metal design and wires that tighten the braces. Modern metal braces appear less noticeable and are more comfortable to wear due to heat-activated archwires.
If wearing metal braces isn’t appealing to your kids, they can consider wearing ceramic or clear braces. They function like metal ones but use tooth-colored or clear brackets and wires to appear less noticeable.
On the other hand, Lingual braces function like the other two types, but they go behind the teeth. This makes them invisible to others. However, placing them and maintaining them requires more work, and they can feel quite uncomfortable due to their placement.
There is also a new type of braces called Invisalign. These are clear aligners that a patient wears. Unlike braces, they appear invisible to the eye, and you can remove them instead of fixing them to your teeth.
However, Invisalign isn’t always recommended for young kids.
Children play a lot, and they could lose or damage their Invisalign braces. There is also the issue of consistency and responsibility. Young kids could lose, constantly remove, or warp their Invisalign braces due to their physical activities.
5. A Few Extra Braces Tips
Before convincing your kid to get braces, always seek a dentist’s aid first. Get their opinion and let them perform a diagnostic check-up on your child first. This could help determine whether or not your child can or should wear braces.
Make sure to discuss braces with your kid too. Focus on the benefits because this will help push away any fears or uncomfortable thoughts. Braces can look ugly or even scary for kids, after all.
When your kid gets braces, make sure you stock up on delicious soft food. Keep orthodontic wax too.
Consider Getting Braces Now
Getting braces for children isn’t as scary or as dangerous as some assume. However, you need to keep these five things in mind before plunging forward with the treatment. Determine if your kid is old enough and showcase any of the symptoms requiring them to wear braces.
Of course, always consult a dentist before making a decision!
Oral health for your kids doesn’t end here, however. Getting braces is only one solution. To learn even more health tips and tricks, continue reading our other blog posts and in-depth guides today!