Child Orthodontics

From the moment their child's first teeth start coming in, it’s the dental question on every parent's mind: Will my child need braces? In the cases of some kids, an answer of "yes" is obvious. These are the kids whose teeth are coming in crooked or with large gaps. For many kids, however, the answer isn't as obvious.

It's important that your children see a dentist every six months for a cleaning and an exam. At Dr. Beanca Children's Dentistry, these exams are a chance for us to keep track of growing teeth and determine whether your child may need orthodontics. Keep reading to learn more about why your child might be a candidate for orthodontics and the options you'll have if they are.

Reasons for Orthodontics

Part of the job of a pediatric dentist is to keep track of how a child's teeth are coming in and how their bite is developing. Both of these factors play a part in determining whether a child will need orthodontic work. There are many reasons why straight, aligned teeth are important. A proper bite is essential for eating and speaking. Teeth that are straight and aligned are easier to keep clean, making it easier to prevent tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease.

It is quite common for children to have either teeth misalignment or jaw misalignment. The reasons for these include genetics, dental disease, accidents, or dental habits such as thumb-sucking. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children visit an orthodontist for an examination by the time they are seven years old. (Fortunately, you can have that done right here at Dr. Beanca Children's Dentistry by our own Dr. Shawn Yu.)

By the age of seven, kids have a mix of baby (primary) and permanent teeth. An orthodontist can gather a great deal of information by examining a child's teeth at this stage of development. Whether there is already a problem, or the orthodontist sees that one is on the way, a treatment plan can be formed to correct the problem.

Keep in mind that you don't need to wait for your child's seventh birthday to take them to an orthodontist if you notice an issue before then. Here are some issues which may signal that a trip to an orthodontist may be in order:

  • Visibly crooked or crowded teeth
  • Difficulty brushing and/or flossing
  • Misaligned bite
  • Speech issues
  • Mouth breathing
  • Clicking or shifting jaw when chewing or first thing in the morning
  • Early, late, or irregular loss of primary teeth
  • Over/underbite
  • Missing/extra teeth

My Child Needs Orthodontics—Now What?

So, your pediatric dentist and/or your orthodontist have declared that your child is going to need orthodontics. You may now start to wonder what, exactly, that entails. The first thing you may think of when you hear "orthodontics" is braces. You may then think of traditional braces with metal brackets attached to the front of each tooth, then connected with wires. And those may well be the type of orthodontics recommended for your child. However, there are several options for teeth straightening that you and your child can consider.

Traditional Braces

Of course, you could go with the traditional braces. These have endured for decades because they work. A small metal or ceramic bracket is attached to the front of each tooth, then the orthodontist threads wire through them. These wires are tightened periodically to help realign the teeth. Small rubber bands may be used in strategic locations to put targeted pressure on the teeth.

In these modern times, your child can get customized braces to keep things more fun. Maybe your child wants to keep things on the down low. They might choose clear brackets which will be less visible as they go through the straightening process. Or, conversely, they might choose brackets that are colored to show off some style as their teeth are adjusted. The small rubber bands used for all that targeted pressure also come in a rainbow of colors. It's even possible to get brackets shaped like hearts, diamonds, or footballs.

With all these options available, your child can have a personalized experience—even if having braces is not at the top of their list of favorite things ever.

Clear Aligners

It's not always necessary to go the traditional braces route. Your child may be a candidate for clear aligners. If you choose to go this route, your orthodontist will fit your child for a series of trays which will work sequentially to straighten your child's teeth. Aligners can even work well for certain complex cases. There are many advantages to clear aligners. Braces, of course, are not removable—they remain attached to a child's teeth until they have done their job. Clear aligners, on the other hand, are removable, which may be appealing to both you and your child.

Since aligners are removable, it's easier to keep a child's teeth clean. In addition, the many food restrictions placed on kids with braces—no popcorn or hard foods, etc.—are not necessary when using aligners. Even with all the advantages, for aligners to work, your child needs to be responsible and willing to do their part. They will need to keep the aligners in—except when eating and cleaning—and they'll need to take care of them throughout the day. If this is not something you think your child can do, traditional braces may be the way to go.

Retainers

If the correction needed for a more aligned bite is a mild one, a retainer may be an option. A retainer is a removable, customized dental appliance that fits over and behind the teeth. Sometimes a retainer may be made of a metal wire and a plastic mouthpiece; other retainers are more similar to a clear aligner. Whichever type of retainer is used, enough pressure is put on the teeth to shift them where they need to be. Your child might also be fitted for a retainer after orthodontic work to hold everything in place and avoid a shift back to where the teeth were.

Taking Care of Appliances

It's important to note that no matter which option you and your child choose, there will be routine maintenance that needs to be done throughout the orthodontic process. Regular visits to the orthodontist will be needed to ensure the process is moving at a good pace. Adjustments to any and all appliances can be done at these appointments as well.

If your child receives more traditional braces, they will need to take special care when cleaning their teeth, and they will need to heed to some food restrictions (as mentioned above). If the appliances chosen are removable, such as with aligners or retainers, they will need to be cleaned properly between uses.

Need an Orthodontist?

If your child is nervous about getting teeth straighteners of any kind, it's good to remind them why they're going through the process—and that the ends justify the means. It's important to find an orthodontist that your child feels comfortable with—the process will be that much smoother.

If you want to see if your child needs orthodontics, contact Dr. Beanca Children's Dentistry. We'll be happy to partner with you to make sure your child's teeth are in the best shape they can be.