Braces for Children – Thing You May Need To Know

The need for orthodontic treatment in kids is not uncommon. Some children really wait for the treatment to start while some remain a bit afraid about their looks and prospects of discomfort due to existence of metals in the mouth.

No matter what your child may be feeling about getting braces, you would surely be concerned about a lot of things in this regard.

The need for braces

You may wonder why your child may need braces. Generally, the misalignment in the children’s teeth makes them concerned about their smile. Sometimes, the misalignment can be so severe that it starts affecting the oral health and eating habits. The most common conditions to talk about in this regard are overbite and under-bite. An overbite is the condition of the mouth in which the upper jaw is extended forward in an unusual manner. On the other hand, under-bite involves extension of lower jaw in forward position. In both of these conditions, child cannot close his/her mouth properly.

The main reasons for misalignment mainly include losing baby teeth too soon, habit of sucking thumb, or injury to the mouth. In many cases, the problem is inherited. If you or someone in your family had braces, there is a chance that your child is going to need them too.

In most of the situations, dentist is the first person to know about the issue. In that situation, your dentist is going to recommend you going to the orthodontic for further treatment. The orthodontist will decide if the problem can be fixed with braces or if the use of a device would be enough to fix the problem.

If you are wondering what age is ideal to get orthodontic treatment, there are no set rules about it. it can be started anytime as long as the teeth are growing. The braces can be installed on the teeth of 6 years old children, 10 years old children or teenagers.

The orthodontic visit

During first orthodontic visit, the orthodontist will ask a number of questions regarding misalignment and its impact on the habits related to use of teeth. He/she will take impression of the child’s teeth. Sometimes, the problem is related to joints of the jaws. In that case, the problem may be resolved without the use of braces.

To properly analyze the position of child’s teeth, dentist is going to use dental x-rays. X-rays report along with the impression of teeth provides orthodontist with necessary details required for the initiation of braces.

What do the braces do?

The main purpose of braces is to consistently apply pressure to the teeth in order to move them in right position. The metal brackets are attached to the front of teeth and a wire runs through those brackets. The adjustment is made to that wide in order to apply pressure to the teeth.

This process may get extended to a couple of years. After the teeth are straightened, the orthodontist will recommend the use of a retainer for a few months in order to avoid shifting back of the teeth.

Natural Remedies to help Toothaches at Home

We’ve all had toothaches at one point or another. It may simply be that your teeth are extra sensitive that day or it could be something more. But, in the case that you can’t visit your dentist immediately here’s some ways to treat the pain of toothaches at home! Keep in mind, if your tooth pain persists, it’s important to make an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible!

1) Gargle warm salt water.

We know, it tastes gross. But gargling salt water can be a great way to not only help with the pain of a toothache, but also helps with sore throats as well. It’s totally natural and the salt water can help swelling as well as wash away any food particles that could be stuck in your teeth. Try gargling salt water a few times a day, until you can see your dentist. 

2) Peppermint tea

Unlike salt water, peppermint tea tastes great! The warmth of peppermint tea can ease away pain and can also help with headaches and bad breath, both of which can be side effects of a sore tooth.

3) Vanilla extract

Did you know vanilla extract, and other extracts, all have alcohol in them? That alcohol can act as a numbing agent around the sore tooth and the flavor and scent of the vanilla, just like peppermint tea, can help alleviate some of the stress that comes with pain. Just dab some on your finger and rub it around the affected area.

4) Raw garlic

Just like salt water, this may fall into the gross category. But we promise it works! Garlic has a number of health benefits, aside from just warding off Vampires! For a sore tooth, crush up a clove of fresh garlic, not cooked, and sprinkle it with some salt. After a few minutes, take the garlic paste and apply it to your tooth. If you’re feeling extra hardcore, you can just try chewing on a clove of fresh garlic. If you choose that option, you may want to follow up it up with the peppermint tea to help alleviate your garlic laden breath!

5) Ginger and Cayenne

But wait, aren’t both those things spicy? Well, yes, technically. So this remedy isn’t for the faint of heart. But combining equal amounts of ginger and cayenne pepper can help reduce pain. Simply rub it on the painful tooth with a cotton ball or your finger.

Most of the remedies in this list are in the average pantry, so if you’re at a holiday party and your tooth starts hurting, give one of these a shot! And, if your tooth keeps hurting, make an appointment to see a dentist as soon as possible.