Parents, have you asked yourself recently, “does my child need braces?” It’s uncommon for adult teeth to grow in perfectly straight. As a result, many people struggle with gaps and crooked teeth. However, the issue of crooked teeth is more than cosmetics. For instance, crowded and bent teeth swell your child’s gums, increasing the risk of gum disease. Brushing overlapping teeth is more complicated than straight teeth.
Consequently, cavities decay crooked teeth. If your child has crooked teeth, then the answer to “does my child need braces?” is yes. Straighten your child’s teeth with South High Dental braces.
Does My Child Need Braces?
Children have many reasons for needing dental braces. The options that suit your child’s needs depend on a range of factors, including:
- Age
- Bite correction needs
- Tooth extraction needs
- Smile and bite correction goals
- Dedication to wearing braces
Children have more flexibility in their developing teeth, gums, and bones. Your child’s flexibility allows for optimum teeth realignment. Thusly, childhood is the best time to wear dental braces. At a young age, your child gains the highest smile perfection, versus waiting to straighten their teeth as an adult.
Of course, children tend to think for themselves. Sometimes, their decisions negatively impact their dental health. Examples include their diet and deciding not to wear clear aligner trays when they should. Children take aligners out throughout the day. Removing them means losing them — at school, sports, or even in public. For this reason, dental braces suit young children best. There’s no need for mental discipline with a brace only a dentist can remove.
Does My Child Need Braces vs. Invisalign?
When it comes to straightening your child’s teeth, there are two options: braces and Invisalign. You naturally ask yourself, “does my child needs braces vs. Invisalign?”
The significant difference between Invisalign and braces is the material. Metal wires and brackets make up typical dental braces. In contrast, the Invisalign system has entirely clear plastic trays that hug the teeth.
Secondly, traditional braces aren’t removable. Orthodontists place the metal wire on teeth firmly with colored rubber bands. Invisalign pops in and out of the mouth. Patients take off Invisalign before eating and brushing.
Thirdly, braces, and Invisalign differ in how long patients wear them. Braces stay on 24/7 for at least one to three years while patients wear Invisalign for six to 18 months.
Invisalign and braces both effectively adjust your child’s teeth. However, there are pros and cons to each system. Invisalign isn’t as noticeable when you smile. Children and adults prefer Invisalign for aesthetic reasons. Invisalign also lacks wires that loosen and break. Detachability makes cleaning and flossing with Invisalign easier than with braces.
On the other hand, metal braces show signs of positive change faster than Invisalign. Braces are best for patients with severe teeth troubles. And while braces need tightening, braces don’t need to be changed every couple of weeks like Invisalign. Metal braces are also more available and less expensive than Invisalign. When asking, “does my child need braces vs. Invisalign?” consider the factors above before making a decision.
Caring for Your Child’s Braces
Whether metal or Invisalign, braces require care. Children wear braces over several months to years and need to learn how to care for them. Teach your child about these best practices for braces:
- Brushing — Even with braces, you need to brush and floss every day. Adjusting to the braces takes effort, but it’s worth it. Have your child remove any removable parts or elastic rubber bands. Have them brush from the top down each wire of the braces. Your child should work from their upper to lower teeth.
- Flossing — Your child should floss at least once a day. Afterward, they should be sure to rinse and examine their teeth and braces for cleanliness. Remind your child to restore any elastics or removable parts when finished.
- Foods — Change your child’s diet and eating habits. Biting into food may damage their braces or get food stuck in them. Get your child in the habit of cutting up food into bite-sized pieces. Don’t eat hard or sticky foods like candy while wearing braces. Look for meals and treats that are soft and dissolve quickly.
- Activity — Many children play sports. One way to avoid damage to your child’s braces, teeth, and gums is to wear a mouthguard. Tell your child not to panic if a wire or bracket comes loose or breaks. Don’t delay seeing your orthodontist immediately afterward. Letting a broken brace linger leads to more trouble down the road.
Does My Child Need Braces From South High Dental?
If you’ve answered the question, “does my child need braces?” with a yes, come to South High Dental. Dental services provided at South High Dental include:
- Orthodontic services
- Invisalign
- Oral surgery
- Crowns and inlays
If your child needs braces, contact South High Dental or call us at 614.363.2462 for your dental needs.
