Benefits of Braces For Kids

There is no specific age for kids to start getting braces, but it is recommended that they visit an orthodontist for an evaluation around age seven. This allows the orthodontist to see if issues, like overcrowding or malocclusion, should be addressed early before they become more serious.

Kids can be sensitive about how they look. Crooked teeth or a misaligned smile can affect their self-esteem and interactions with others. By wearing braces, boca Dental and Braces can improve their overall oral health and boost their confidence.

Kids who don’t have a healthy bite may have issues with chewing and swallowing food, leading to tooth decay or even serious dental problems. If children have issues with the alignment of their jaws, this can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and even chronic headaches.

A beautiful smile also means children will have healthier gums and teeth. Straighter teeth are easier to clean, and kids with healthy gums will have fewer cavities. The best way to ensure that kids have a healthy mouth is by making sure they see an orthodontist regularly, including for x-rays and dental cleanings.

A kid’s first orthodontic evaluation should happen no later than age seven, and this is when we can determine whether they have malocclusions — which include overcrowding of the teeth or jaws. Overcrowding of the teeth can result in permanent damage if not addressed early, and it’s much easier to correct overcrowding with braces than when the adult teeth are already in place.

In addition to preventing malocclusions, braces for kids can help address speech impairments like lisps or whistle sounds. These can occur when a child’s lower and upper teeth are too far apart, which leads to gaps that cause them to whistle or blow their nose while speaking. The gap will close with traditional or mini braces as they adjust their teeth to the right position. With newer technologies like self-ligating braces, kids can enjoy a faster treatment with 99% less friction than traditional braces.

One of the lesser-known benefits of braces for kids is that they help boost their self-esteem. Children with crooked or protruding teeth often get bullied at school and elsewhere for their appearance. They may also have trouble eating because their crooked or overlapping teeth make it difficult to chew and speak properly. With the right treatment, these issues can be corrected to restore a child’s confidence and allow them to eat more easily.

Another less-known benefit of braces is that it can help improve how a child pronounces their words. Misaligned teeth can greatly impact how well a child can articulate sounds and pronounce words, which can lead to problems in learning and speaking. With the right treatment, however, a child’s speech can be improved, which leads to better pronunciation and more confidence when communicating with others.

Getting braces early can also prevent bad habits like poor oral hygiene. Kids must brush and floss more frequently while in braces, which helps establish good dental hygiene habits that will last a lifetime. Additionally, having braces at a young age can allow orthodontists to spot potential problems with a child’s bite or overcrowding of the teeth. This allows for more effective treatments, which means a lower chance of future complications.

Talking with your child about having braces is important to ensure they are prepared for what it will be like living with them. They will likely have concerns about how much pain the procedure will cause, how people will react to them while they have them on, and more. Having your support and understanding of their worries will go a long way to helping them cope with this difficult time.

Kids can get a better night’s sleep if they have braces. Crooked teeth and an unaligned jaw lead to mouth breathing, which can cause snoring and sleep apnea. This can cause trouble for the child, their family, and co-workers if they snore. Orthodontic treatment for widening the palate (roof of the mouth) through a rapid palatal expander can help with snoring and sleep apnea.

Children with a palatal expander sometimes have less need for braces once they grow up since their adult teeth will fit their new mouth. This can save money in the long run for parents and kids alike. Also, it could reduce the risk of sleep apnea later in life and prevent other health issues resulting from snoring or sleep apnea.

In addition to improving their smile and self-esteem, kids who receive braces are better prepared for their future oral health. Crooked teeth and an uneven bite can lead to many problems, including chewing issues, jaw pain, and headaches. When these problems are addressed early on, they can be prevented from causing more serious complications in the long run.

For instance, if kids lose their baby teeth too early due to dental decay or other reasons, the adult teeth may close too soon, leading to overcrowding. This can result in other health concerns, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders or tooth grinding (bruxism). In addition, misaligned teeth and jaws are difficult to clean properly, which increases their risk of gum disease and cavities.

If your child has a habit of sucking or thrusting their thumb, a special device called a tongue or thumb stopper can be fixed behind their front teeth to break this bad habit. This device can be removed for eating and playing sports, but our orthodontist will recommend it only if the patient cannot break the habit on their own.

Traditional braces often use elastics or metal ties, which create pressure and friction on the teeth, making it harder for kids to brush and floss correctly. In contrast, newer braces like our In-Ovation system utilize high-tech brackets that eliminate the need for ties and elastics. This results in 99% less friction, so kids can brush and floss their teeth more easily without worrying about discomfort or plaque build-up. In-Ovation is also the first orthodontic system to straighten teeth faster so kids can get beautiful smiles sooner and avoid future health complications!

Crooked teeth can cause many kids and teens to feel self-conscious about their smile. This can lead to them avoiding pictures and smiling less. With the right braces, your kid can overcome these problems and have a more confident smile. This will also help them feel more comfortable talking and socializing with others.

In addition to helping them look better, the straightening process will make it easier for them to eat well. Kids and teenagers with crowded teeth may have trouble chewing or talking properly and will also be more prone to tooth decay. This is because food particles can easily get trapped between overcrowded teeth. With regular dental visits, your kid can remove these foods and prevent plaque buildup from occurring.

When kids have braces, it’s important to teach them how to eat properly with them. This means avoiding foods damaging the wires, bands, and brackets. This can include hard or sticky foods like gum, candy, and popcorn. In addition, it’s a good idea to avoid foods that can stain the teeth.

Kids who suck their thumb or fingers may need braces because this can pull out baby teeth and fail to leave enough space for adult teeth to come in properly. If this is the case, it’s recommended that they wear their braces for a few years to correct the problem.