Restorative Dentistry |2 min read

Does Your Child Need Braces?

Once your child begins to grow into their permanent adult teeth, it is easy to tell if they are moving in the right direction or not. Braces help your child feel more confident and help your child’s teeth grow to be as healthy as possible.

girl with braces

Reasons for Braces

Everyone’s teeth are different, so there are various reasons for people to get braces. Some children need them at an early age, and some do not need them until they are in their teen years. Some of the most common reasons that children need braces are because of crooked or overlapping teeth, overcrowded teeth, and bad bites. When your child’s jaws are different sizes, it can cause an overbite or underbite.

Not only do some children naturally need braces, but some children also have accidents that cause their teeth to need extra care. When children lose their baby teeth too young, it can cause problems. Or, bad habits such as sucking their thumb can cause your child’s teeth to grow crooked.

Your Child’s First Orthodontist Visit

Just like at the dentist’s office, your child’s teeth need to be examined to determine the right procedures. Your child will have a physical exam of their teeth for the doctor to see if your child needs braces. The doctor may ask questions to determine if there are any problems, chewing, or any jaw pain. These questions will help to understand what exactly your child needs.

The doctor may take x-rays to see the position of your child’s teeth and to see if there are any more permanent teeth that need to come in.

The doctor will take a mold of your child’s mouth to see the position of all the teeth more clearly.

Types of Braces

Since everyone’s situation is different, there are different types of braces.

  • Metal Braces – Traditional metal braces have brackets attached to each tooth with a wire connecting the brackets. Each visit, the wire is tightened to move the teeth into their correct place. Your child can choose different color bands for each bracket to make it fun and colorful.
  • Ceramic Braces – Ceramic brackets are similar to metal ones, except they are more transparent and less visible. These types of braces are suitable for adults and teenagers who do not want their braces to be noticeable.
  • Aligners – Aligners are clear trays that have been fit to your child’s teeth to correct the misalignment. These are completely clear, and your child can take them out at any time. The brand that most people are familiar with is Invisalign.

How to Know if Your Child Needs Braces

When you go to the dentist, they will most likely notice if your child needs to see an orthodontist or not. They will recommend an orthodontist for your child to visit.

If you are still unsure about your child’s treatment, schedule a visit with us today!

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