Why Your Child May Need Orthodontics As They Age

When your child is growing, there are certain signs that they may need orthodontics.  If, for example, they suck their thumb past the toddler years, they may push their front teeth outwards and create an overbite.  Likewise, if their baby teeth fall out too soon, the remaining teeth may move into the position left vacant, eliminating the spot reserved for the new adult tooth. When this happens, overcrowding occurs, and a combination treatment of an expander and braces are often necessary.  Good oral hygiene and regular trips to the dentist can reduce some of these risks but ultimately genetics plays a role as well, leading to a trip to the orthodontist.

As a child, there are fewer options for straightening teeth.  This has to do with the bone structure and the child’s ability to sustain a long-term treatment.  For most children, it is recommended that traditional braces be worn instead of clear braces or aligners.  They have been proven to produce the best results with the least amount of effort on the part of the child.  While they need to be cleaned, and orthodontist appointments kept, they are fairly easy to keep in good condition.  Some children start their procedures as early as eight with an expander or spacers, while most kids don’t get braces until they are ten or older. 

As a child grows, there are more options for orthodontics treatments.  In teenage years and into adulthood, traditional braces are still extremely effective but the world of orthodontics opens up to include alternatives.  For example, some teens and adults can wear clear braces instead of metal ones.  They function in a similar fashion only the brackets are made of tooth-colored resin instead of metal.  The wires can also be made in a tooth-colored material for a natural or clear effect.  The challenge is keeping them clean.  Since it is normal for people to wear braces for around two years, this is a long time to keep the brackets from staining and many people end up with yellow looking spots on their teeth as a result.  They work well and can look great but extreme caution must be taken when caring for them. 

Alternatively, adults and some teens can use aligners to straighten teeth. This is an effective and convenient way to do so because the aligners are removable.  They only need to be worn for around twenty-two hours a day. This means that they come out every time you eat and to brush your teeth. This level of convenience makes it possible to enjoy your favorite foods and special events without worrying about your appearance.  It also reduces the amount of staining that can take place from daily eating.  Since there are no brackets to get around, there is less of a risk that food particles and plaque will remain on the teeth. 

As an adult, there are far more options available for straightening teeth. Whether your child begins the process of braces and orthodontics at an early age or waits until their teens is entirely up to you.