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.
