The average age for getting braces is in the early teenage years, but some children require braces before that.
Needing a straightening device before the rest of their peers rests on a variety of reasons. Your child might have lost their milk teeth too soon as the result of an accident, or perhaps thumb sucking has had a negative impact on their mouth.
As a parent, you might hesitate about your young child having braces, especially with regards to their emotional maturity or lack thereof, but correcting your offspring’s dental issues in childhood is the best decision you can make for them.
What could happen if my children don’t wear braces in Windsor?
Children are still developing during their formative years, and that includes their teeth and jaws.
Facial bones and the jaw are fully formed once adulthood is reached, which makes it more challenging to correct misalignments and irregularities.
Having problems with their teeth and jaw could have severe consequences on your child’s oral health when it becomes impossible to clean their teeth properly.
What dental issues can be corrected with braces in Windsor?
Teeth that are crooked or overlapping can cause future problems, as well as an overcrowded mouth or a malocclusion. In layman’s terms, a malocclusion is when your top and bottom jaw are different sizes and do not align, an issue that could lead to a biting problem down the line. Braces can be used to address these problems.
What straightening devices are available for children?
There are several different types of orthodontic devices available for prospective patients, but traditional metal braces are better for children to realign teeth and correct bites.
Braces work by applying pressure on teeth using a wire system that comprises of metal brackets, archwires and ligatures. Gradually, over time, your child’s teeth will fall into their desired position.
Common complaints about braces are about their comfort and design. However, braces have evolved since their first introduction to society; they are more comfortable to wear and also more aesthetically pleasing.
That said, your child will experience some tenderness during treatment, especially in the beginning stages. In the first few days after braces are applied as their teeth adjust, your child will experience discomfort. Their orthodontist will prescribe a child-friendly painkiller and recommend a soft diet for the first couple of days.
From time-to-time, the metal of your child’s braces may rub against their skin. When this happens, rub edible wax over the brackets to soothe the pain and prevent further cuts from forming. This wax can be bought from the orthodontist directly or from your local pharmacy.
If your child does not want a metallic smile because of possible teasing, there are other types of fixed devices, including ceramic braces and lingual braces.
Ceramic braces work identically to regular metal braces, the only difference being that the brackets are made from ceramic porcelain and not metal. At the same time, lingual braces are glued to the back of the teeth and out of plain sight. When opting for alternative options, it is in the best interest of your child to seek out a second professional opinion.
Orthodontics for children is becoming a growing need. Straightening your offspring’s teeth early on in life could lead to a problem-free mouth in adulthood
