Orthodontic treatment can be a crucial step to ensure your child has a healthy smile. When it comes to straightening your child's teeth, the only way to go about it is the right way. As you look into this process, it's natural to have some questions. When is the best time for kids to have braces, and which braces are best for kids? Read on to learn about choosing the best braces for kids and how soon to consider orthodontic treatment for your child.
When is the Best Time for Kids to Get Braces?
Many parents wonder about the appropriate time to get braces for their children. While there isn't necessarily a best age to get braces, kids should try to have their first orthodontics consultation no later than the age of 7-years-old. Though that may sound young, the American Association of Orthodontists says your child can greatly benefit from an evaluation while baby teeth are still present.
Between the ages of 6 and 7, a child's bones in the jaw and face are growing, and the first permanent molars appear. During this consultation, the orthodontist will look for subtle problems with emerging teeth and jaw growth to determine if early treatment is necessary.
Early Treatment
When deemed appropriate, early treatment can prevent more serious problems from occurring and may make treatment at a later age less complicated. If the orthodontist concludes that early treatment is necessary, your child will undergo a two-step approach.
The first phase will work to achieve the following:
- Correct unhealthy or harmful oral habits
- Guide adult teeth into the best possible position
- Improve the way the lips meet
- Monitor and guide jaw growth
- Minimize the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Improve appearance
- Prepare your child for the process of having braces
The second phrase will consist of realigning your child's teeth with braces. Your orthodontist will also determine the best time and age for your kid to get braces. If your child undergoes early treatment, you can expect them to get braces between the ages of 8 and 14.
Which Braces are Best for Kids?
Parents want what's best for their children, and selecting the best braces for kids is certainly part of that. While it can be a bit of a personal preference, there are other factors to consider when choosing the best braces for kids, like cost and treatment plan requirements. To help you decide, we're taking a closer look at the types of braces for kids and how they compare.
Traditional Braces
Thanks to advances in orthodontic technology traditional braces have come a long way over the years. Your kids can rest assured — chunky metal mouths and shiny headgear are things of the past. Today, traditional braces are sleeker and have much smaller brackets. They can even be personalized with colorful rubber bands so kids can show off their personal style.
Traditional braces are typically more budget friendly than other options like Invisalign and lingual, but they do require a bit more upkeep. For example, your kids will need to learn how to brush teeth with braces and be cautious of eating certain types of foods, like popcorn and sticky candy.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a method of straightening teeth with a series of clear, almost invisible, removable aligners. While it isn't for younger children, it's a great option for teenagers. Custom made with a thin plastic cover, these sets of aligners go over your teen's teeth. Many teens like the idea of Invisalign because it's nearly invisible and, as a result, draws little to no attention. Your teen can also remove his or her Invisalign braces, which is another perk. This means they can still brush their teeth and eat like they normally would. Think your teen may forget to put their Invisalign back in? Have no fear! These aligners feature a small dot on the side which indicate if they're wearing them or not. They're subtle enough that most people won't notice but visible enough for parents to keep an eye on their teens.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces have the functionality of traditional braces and the barely visible quality of Invisalign. As some of the best braces for kids, this option is placed on the tongue side of the teeth. Lingual braces are designed to fit as comfortably as possible, and your child will love how discrete they are. Due to their location, lingual braces may require some adjustments until your child gets used to the overall feeling. After the first few days, however, you can bet they'll be back to their normal selves.
Similar to Invisalign, lingual braces tend to be a little pricier than traditional braces. This is something to keep in mind when it comes to choosing the best braces for kids and planning your child's orthodontic treatment.
Get the Best Braces for Kids at Beth's Braces
Whether you're wondering which braces are best for kids or the ideal age to get braces for your child, Beth's Braces is here to help. For more than 5 years, we've been providing the best braces for kids in the greater Las Vegas area. To get started on your child's orthodontic treatment, schedule an appointment today! We look forward to giving your kids more reasons to smile.
