Over four million Americans (75% of which are children) wear braces. Braces can correct out-of-place teeth or a misaligned jaw. Without them, your child could experience complications later in life.
Correcting their alignment or bite issues with kids’ braces, on the other hand, can boost their self-image and self-confidence.
Want to learn more before searching for “a braces orthodontist near me?” Here’s everything you need to know before your child begins treatment.
Knowing how to prepare yourself and your child can help simplify the entire treatment process. You can avoid surprises or bumps down the road. Instead, your child can receive the treatment they need for stunning, healthy teeth.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about braces for your child today!
Schedule a Consultation
Before talking to your child about kids’ braces, consider scheduling a consultation appointment at your family orthodontics practice. Visiting an orthodontist in Payson can help you gather the information you need.
Then, you can talk to your child feeling informed. You’ll have an easier time preparing them for the treatment process ahead.
Make sure to have a list of questions you want to ask ready before the consultation appointment. Here are a few questions you might want to ask.
1. What Are the Benefits?
First, ask your orthodontist to outline the benefits of kids’ braces. Determine why they’re recommending braces as the best course of treatment.
Braces can help close any gaps in your child’s smile. They can also help improve their bite, making it easier to brush, floss, and chew. If your child isn’t able to chew properly, it could cause digestive issues.
Since straight teeth are easier to brush and floss, your child could have an easier time maintaining healthy gums and teeth.
Otherwise, lingering food particles between their teeth can lead to gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease). Periodontal disease and tooth decay are two of the biggest threats to dental health. In fact, your child’s teeth could loosen and fall out if they develop periodontitis.
Improving your child’s bite and alignment can benefit their self-esteem into adulthood. They can smile feeling confident in their appearance.
The orthodontist might recommend braces if your child has:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Crooked teeth
- Gaps between their teeth
These issues can cause jaw strain, tooth loss, or broken teeth. Beginning treatment right away can help your child avoid these complications.
2. What Other Treatments Are There?
Ask your orthodontist if there are any other treatment options they might recommend for your child. For example, they might offer Invisalign at your Utah orthodontist.
Invisalign braces are clear, plastic aligners that fit over your child’s teeth. Your child will need to remove their aligners to eat or drink. Otherwise, they need to wear their aligners for about 22 hours a day.
If your child is young and unable to remain diligent about wearing their aligners, consider a different treatment option.
3. What Types of Braces Are There?
Your orthodontist might recommend different types of braces.
For example, lingual braces are placed behind the teeth. They’re ideal if you’re looking for an option that offers discretion.
Self-ligating braces are made of either metal or ceramic. They use a wire to move your child’s teeth into place.
The orthodontist might offer ceramic braces, which use tooth-colored or clear brackets. These braces can blend in with your child’s teeth. They might offer more discretion.
You can schedule a consultation appointment to review the pros and cons of each treatment option.
4. How Much Will It Cost?
During the consultation appointment, ask the orthodontist about pricing.
Pricing can vary based on your child’s age and how much work is needed. Your orthodontist can give you a more accurate estimate.
5. How Long Will Treatment Take?
You can also ask the orthodontist how long your child will require treatment. The duration of their treatment will vary based on their unique case. For some children, treatment can last about two years.
How to Prepare
Once you’ve talked to the orthodontist, you can prepare your child for their kids’ braces. Here are a few tips that can help you prepare them for treatment.
1. Review Options With Your Child
Consider sitting down with your child to help them review their orthodontic treatment options. You can choose a treatment plan that best suits their lifestyle and needs.
Usually, traditional metal braces are ideal for children and teens. However, if you have a teenager, they might prefer Invisalign instead.
2. Help Them Manage Expectations
Help your child understand exactly what will happen throughout the treatment.
First, they’ll need to spend a lot of time in the dentist’s chair to receive their braces. The dentist will glue small brackets to their teeth. Then, they’ll connect the brackets using a thin wire.
Your child will need to have their braces fitted, which can cause a little discomfort.
You can use ibuprofen to manage any tenderness they experience.
3. Discuss Their Diet
Before looking for “braces near me,” make sure your child understands they’ll have to adjust their diet for a while. For example, they’ll need to consume soft foods for the first few days.
These can include mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, or liquid meals like soup.
4. Grab Supplies
Grab some supplies before your child begins their treatment. For example, orthodontic wax can help make your child’s braces more comfortable. Otherwise, the brackets could cause irritation or create sores.
Make sure your child always has their orthodontic wax within reach to ease any discomfort they experience.
5. Highlight the Benefits
If your child is nervous about beginning orthodontic treatment, help them recognize the benefits of braces. Once treatment is done, they’ll have a straight, stunning smile!
Wearing braces is only temporary. The long-term benefits could help encourage them.
Kids’ Braces: Your Guide to Preparing Your Child for Orthodontics
Your child doesn’t have to live life with gaps between their teeth. Instead, help them recognize the benefits of treatment with kids’ braces. Beginning treatment right away can help them avoid complications in the future.
Instead, they can focus on working toward their beautiful smile!
Want to schedule a consultation with an orthodontist in Payson? We’re here to help.
Request an appointment today to get started.