Warning Signs Your Child Needs Braces

As your children mature, they will go through several growth spurts that mark specific stages of development. As they reach puberty (ages 8-13 for girls and 10-15 for boys), they start making the hormonal changes that will continue into adulthood. 

It is also during this time that many kids deal with dental issues that need braces to correct. An estimated 3.5 million children and teens 17 and under get braces every year, so if your child needs them, it’s important to know what to look for. 

In this blog, let’s examine the signs your child needs braces, how braces work, and the types of braces available.

If you live in the Mamaroneck, New York, or Stamford, Connecticut, areas, and your child needs braces or other dental appliances, Dr. Gennadiy Kravets and All Bright Dental can help. We provide a significant focus on high-quality dental care for any member of your family from infants to the elderly.

Signs your child needs braces

Issues with poor nutrition, oral hygiene, and genetics all factor into why a child may have problems with their teeth. Physical symptoms to look for include:

• Mouth breathing
• Clicking or other sounds from the jaw
• Regularly biting the tongue, roof of the mouth, or inside the cheek
• Pacifier use or thumb-sucking past age two
• Loss of baby teeth
• Upper and lower teeth not coming together when the mouth closes
• Crooked or crowded teeth

All children should have an appointment with an orthodontist starting at age seven at the latest, according to the American Academy of Orthodontics. That allows for getting children set up with braces early enough for the most effective treatment when children are approaching the time when they get their permanent teeth (between 9-14 years old). 

How braces work

Dental braces exert pressure to adjust teeth over time. Teeth rest in the upper and lower jaw surrounded by gum tissue, and dental braces are fixed into place to slowly move teeth into their proper position, reducing the complications of dental issues. As your child’s teeth adjust, they may be fitted with newer braces until the target positioning of your child’s teeth is achieved.

Types of braces

Realigning teeth can be done in several ways. These include:

Traditional braces

The metal wires and brackets for teeth are the standard methods of adjusting teeth.

Ceramic braces

Similar in structure to the traditional braces, this method uses ceramic materials for less noticeable braces. 

Lingual braces

Similar to the traditional braces, these are placed on the back of teeth, making them far less noticeable. Keep in mind that treatment with lingual braces takes longer, and they can be more difficult to clean.

Self-ligating braces

This type uses elastic bands instead of metal wires to adjust teeth, resulting in less friction and making them easier to clean.

Invisalign

A common method used today, this type of braces uses plastic aligners instead of brackets. They are nearly invisible and allow children more freedom to eat and drink whatever they want. They are used for minor to moderate dental issues.

There are many signs your child needs braces. Fortunately, there are many options available. If your child needs braces or has other dental issues, contact Dr. Kravets and All Bright Dental today.