Braces are used to align your bite, straighten teeth, and improve your overall oral health. Depending on your needs, there are various orthodontic treatments available at different price points. Suppose you have young children or teens and are considering orthodontic treatment for them. In that case, the following information will help guide you through any questions you might have.
Why do kids need braces?
Braces will offer the popular aesthetic benefit of straightening teeth out. Still, the advantages of orthodontic treatment go beyond a beautiful smile.
Kids might need braces for a variety of reasons. The most common include crowding, spacing, missing teeth, extra teeth, and function.
Crowding can affect children’s oral health in a few different ways. One of them is oral hygiene. Crooked teeth are prone to trap more food and plaque than straight teeth. At the same time, oral hygiene is easier in teeth that are aligned when compared to crowded ones. Better oral hygiene will prevent gum infection and cavities. When teeth are out of place, they might not fit together correctly when biting down, resulting in significant wear of the tooth structure with time. Sometimes a tooth might come through in a position that interferes with other teeth when children try to put them together. The child might shift the jaw position to avoid discomfort to avoid this interference. A long-standing shift might result in wear of teeth and asymmetric growth of the jaws.
Braces can also be used to help teeth that are stuck under the gum and bone, unable to come through. Closing gaps between teeth is also essential as they can affect speech. Depending on the size, space could also facilitate food trapping.
Orthodontic treatment offers the potential to modify growth, which may improve your child’s facial development, strengthen essential facial muscles and address improper oral habits.
What is the average cost of braces for kids and teens?
The average cost of comprehensive orthodontic treatment (Braces) varies between $6,500 to $9,500. Treatment fees depend on the severity of the condition, length of treatment and appliances required.
At what age can kids get braces?
There is no set time to get braces. However, once your child turns seven, you can take them to an orthodontist to evaluate growth and development. The orthodontist will recommend the appropriate timing depending on the child’s development and present problem. The orthodontist might diagnose a problem and suggest waiting for treatment to ensure the best outcome. Suppose your child is too young for treatment. In that case, most orthodontists are happy to monitor growth and development at no cost until your kid is ready for treatment. This approach ensures treatment is started at the right time for each patient.
How do metal braces work?
Metal braces work by gluing brackets on teeth and connecting them using a wire. The wire, bracket and ties move your teeth by applying pressure and guiding teeth towards the desired position. The orthodontist will place each bracket in a specific place on the tooth’s surface to achieve the desired movement.
What is the difference between metal braces and incognito braces?
The main difference is in the way each attaches to the teeth. Incognito braces hook onto the back part of the tooth, allowing them to be hidden from the public eye. On the other hand, metal braces sit on the lip side of your teeth; they are not hidden in any way and are visible in photos. Incognito or lingual braces cause more initial discomfort than conventional braces as they sit behind your teeth in closer relationship to the tongue. Eventually, the mouth gets used to the braces, regardless of the type, and the discomfort disappears.
Is it easy to maintain dental hygiene for kids and teens while having braces?
Dental hygiene for kids is essential, whether they have braces on or off. Braces require extra care because they have tiny spaces to trap food particles. As a result, teens with braces will need to spend more time brushing their teeth and use special brushes to ensure all food residues are removed.
Getting started
Orthodontic treatment and braces are essential for a kid’s dental health. At Earlwood Orthodontics, we aim to assess each child’s individual needs and treat them at the most appropriate time. The first step is making an appointment for a consultation.
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