The decision to get braces can be difficult for children and their parents because there are concerns that have to be weighed. At San Diego Dentist Association member dental offices, you’ll find people who can help you and your family balance the desire for straight, beautiful teeth with concerns about pain, difficulty eating and disruptions to the ability to speak clearly. They can explain to you and your child that properly fitted braces and alternatives to braces for children don’t have to be painful and are almost always worth the inconvenience.
It’s possible to benefit from braces and other orthodontic treatments at any age, but they work faster in young patients whose teeth and jaws are already moving and changing as part of the normal growing-up process. Braces work with the growing process to guide teeth gently to their best positions. Most dental organizations recommend that all children see an orthodontic dentist by age 7 for assessment and to see if concerns are forming.
What Causes Teeth Alignment Concerns?
Some issues that children have with teeth and oral health are caused by genetics or by developmental problems. The inability to bite, chew or speak clearly can result. In other cases, dental concerns are triggered by or made worse by habits or behaviors. Some behaviors that can cause crooked or misaligned teeth include:
- Breathing only through the mouth, not the nose
- Frequent thumb or finger sucking
- Use of a pacifier for a longer-than-average period
- Poor brushing, flossing, and oral hygiene from a young age
- Bad nutrition causes teeth not to get the nutrients they need
- And more.
What Is Involved When A Child Gets Braces?
Orthodontic treatment will help your child bite and chew, and contribute to clear speech. When teeth function properly, they tend to look nice
The orthodontic process for a child begins with a consultation and visual examination of the gums, teeth and jaw. Then, some tests will be needed, usually including panoramic and regular digital x-rays to see below the gum line. Impressions of the teeth are also necessary for precise information about position. Pictures may be taken with a digital camera too. Computer analysis of this information can help your SDDA dentist understand what treatment program is necessary.
In some cases, especially when issues are severe, the right course of action is traditional fixed braces, which can make big changes in tooth positioning and don’t come out during treatment, so they can’t be forgotten or lost. This kind of treatment for children is also sometimes the quickest. If alignment problems aren’t severe, clear aligner trays are less intrusive and work just as well. Your San Diego dentist can explain options that may include:
- Braces or aligners. Braces have clear, tooth-colored or metal-colored brackets on every tooth and a wire between to connect and guide teeth in place. Fixed braces require frequent dental office visits. For mild problems, clear aligners like Invisalign offer nearly invisible treatment, fewer dental visits and fewer hassles too.
- Often used to treat developmental problems, headgear is custom-made for your child and is attached to wires and braces to encourage teeth movement. Headgear usually needs to be worn for at least 12 hours a day and possibly more.
- Almost always required after primary treatment is completed successfully, retainers stop teeth from moving back to their old positioning and undoing results achieved. A retainer works to support newly moved teeth and may be required for months or even years after treatment is complete.
To learn more about braces for children as well as other orthodontic treatments, reach out to a San Diego Dentist Association member. You can meet with the dentist you choose and their team to learn how treatments are better than ever and achieve remarkable results. Your child deserves a beautiful smile, and the right dentist can help make that a reality.