Braces for Children…What To Expect

Especially when it’s about kids “Prevention is always better than cure”, and all will truly believe in this.

The Indian and American association of orthodontist urges that children see an Orthodontist, not before the age of seven. At an early age that is below seven, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary but cautious examination can foresee the most ideal time to begin the treatment if any.

Early evaluation or treatment prevents future Orthodontic problems.

Things to consider that mean your kid needs to see an Orthodontist

• Early or late loss of milk teeth
• Finger or thumb or lip sucking habit
• Front teeth are Crowed or protruded
• Upper and the lower teeth order not meeting properly
• Complexity in chewing food
• Jaws and teeth not in proportion with the rest of the face
• Jaws protrude or make sounds while opening and closing

Remember, an Orthodontist is the best evaluator to inform, when the right time for your child to start orthodontic treatment is.

Planning For a Metal Mouth? What and what not to anticipate When Your Child is Getting Braces?

Deciding whether braces are right for your child can be a difficult decision. Again by the time your child is ready for braces, they are old enough to have an opinion, thus it might not be a parent decision alone.
Today there are many competing orthodontists and cosmetic dentists, and so it will be easy to decide the one that will work for your child.

Reasons for having Braces:

1. Braces are meant to correct issues with the alignment of the teeth.
2. Braces are needed to correct something as crooked teeth or missing teeth or teeth that grow in the wrong place.
3. Braces basically move the teeth and their alignment over time.

Different types of braces to choose from; Selecting between Metal Braces and Invisalign

Multiple types of braces are now available to choose from; hence many parents end up in a metal braces v/s Invisalign braces debate.
Let’s study what you should expect when your child gets braces.
a) Depending at what age your child is preparing for braces, the metal braces v/s Invisalign question may be worth discussing.
b) Chances are high that you choose the traditional and familiar metal braces. Although they have a distinctive look and in the past kids used to be embarrassed by their metal, today kids enjoy choosing the colours of their braces.
c) But natural, there is a certain amount of irritation that comes with metal braces. You will have to make sure that your kid keeps them clean. Traditional braces can’t be removed so they must be tolerated the entire time.
d) Another thing in this debate is that metal braces have been around for many years than Invisalign braces. They’re tried and tested and will ensure the results.
e) Consider the commitment time between the two options as well. Traditional metal braces are kept for eighteen months to three years, with follow up visits every four to six weeks. Invisalign braces often win out here as people wear them for six to eighteen months, rather than multiple years.
f) Invisalign braces offer the advantage of being nearly unnoticeable. Invisalign braces are tidy and fit over the teeth.
g) Again, the smoothness of Invisalign braces confirms that they’re more comfortable than metal braces.
h) Invisalign braces require a certain amount of upkeep. You would need to monitor how your child is taking care for his Invisalign braces; they must be worn almost for the entire day in order to work effectively, but they need to be removed before dinner to avoid staining.
i) Regular follow up visits are required for Invisalign braces so they are likely to be more expensive than metal braces. And if you’re investing that much, make sure your child is mature enough to commit to them.
 

What To Expect at The Application Process:

• It’s natural for kids to be panicky about having braces applied with a natural fear of dentists and orthodontists. Also, the metal look of braces makes lots of people think that they’ll be painful and cause added anxiety.
• Typically, the traditional metal braces have a standard application method and there’s no need for the child to be given a sedative to have their braces applied.
• Traditional metal braces are basically pieces of flexible metal and tiny rubber bands that are placed carefully and manipulated to adequately move the teeth over time.
• After cleaning and drying the teeth, the orthodontists will add glue to keep the metal brackets in order.
• After that, the remaining process normally takes about an hour or two, after which your child can be sent home immediately.
• This process may not hurt, though there is little discomfort associated with traditional braces.
• The teeth will be realigning, causing little soreness that isn’t that bad that it will require pain medication like the application of Vicodin. Over time, however, this will fade away too.
• The child may feel a little uncomfortable getting used to the idea of chewing with their braces.

Finally Life After Braces: What Your Child Prepare should expect?

As discussed above, there are certain adjustments that must be made by your child which may vary with the type of braces; Metal braces or Invisalign braces.

What to eat and not to eat: Perhaps the biggest adjustments to make involves what they eat and what not to eat.
A lot of different foods your child will need to avoid while they wear traditional metal braces like Popcorn, gum, pasta and in effect, anything chewy can get caught in your child’s braces — Although, with Invisalign braces, you can simply take them off before eating.
Cleanliness: Naturally, the food that gets caught in your child’s braces could be hard to cleanout. Moreover, that food can potentially start rotting, causing concerns with your child’s braces and also bad breath. You’ll have to make sure that your child is regularly cleaning their metal braces with a water gargle. In the case of Invisalign braces, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on whether they’re properly stored and cleaned when taken off.
Taking good care: The last thing you could have is your child losing their expensive braces! It can be a good idea to set the ground rules and good habits before your child gets braces, after alignment and till they are taken off.

Though braces may seem like a tedious waste of time or even a little scary, ultimately, they’ll provide much more benefits than they will discomfort. Remember getting braces for adults is more time consuming, stressful, and often socially embarrassing as it can be in case of children. Therefore, you’ll are be doing a favour to your child by having it put when they’re young. Keep ensuring them that they’ll have a new and improved smile in no time.
And remember: they’re just braces! They will go away in no time leaving behind a beautiful smile.