Going to the orthodontist is often a rite of passage for many children and teenagers. After all, your orthodontist ensures that your kid’s teeth will be straight, which will help produce beautiful smiles and good oral hygiene. Read on for insight about what you and your child should expect during your initial braces consultation.
Examination
The first step in seeing whether braces are needed is an examination. After you and your child meet with your orthodontist and their staff, the orthodontist will conduct a visual examination of your child’s teeth. This examination will also involve X-rays and photographs so that they can easily examine and identify internal problems that may lead to bigger ones without braces care. They look for both problems with the teeth and your child’s jaw structure.
Discussion
Due to advances in braces care, there are many more options to consider for kids, teens, and adults alike. Such options may include metal braces, retainers, or expanders depending on the situation. When it comes to braces, there are metal braces, ceramic ones, as well as lingual braces that go on the back of the teeth. If your child is a teen, they may also be a candidate for Invisalign, which are clear aligners used for minor alignment problems.
Treatment Costs
Finally, the dentist will review the treatment cost. The final bill for braces treatment depends on the severity of your child’s tooth alignment. According to our experience, braces care can last up to two years so the treatment plan and budget will vary by case.
These are the steps involved in your typical braces consultation. A professional orthodontist will explain everything to you thoroughly so that you understand the best options for your child or teenager. If your child is showing signs of tooth alignment issues, don’t hesitate to bring them to our office today. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, you should schedule an evaluation as soon as you see any sign of orthodontic problems, but no later than age seven. We look forward to seeing you and your child to start this process!
Many orthodontists recommend that your children receive braces as soon as they need them. Unfortunately, there have been concerns from many parents that their kids may not be able to play sports with braces. Did you know that, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, an estimated 50-75% of people would greatly benefit from receiving orthodontic treatment? Braces are one of the best ways to improve the alignment of one’s teeth. Unfortunately, lack of alignment in the teeth can cause their teeth to grow in positions that can be painful and set them up for discomfort later in life. Here is some information about playing sports with braces that you’ll want to know as a parent.
Can My Child Play Sports with Braces on?
While it is not impossible for children to play sports with braces on, it should be noted that an injury can create serious problems. It is known that sports injuries can happen at any time and at any part of the body. Unfortunately, getting hit in the mouth can cause serious pain for your child on top of the fact that the braces can become misaligned, which can cause more pain. While this isn’t a life-threatening problem, it can cause serious pain that you want your child to avoid.
Is There a Way to Protect My Child’s Braces?
As a matter of fact, there is! An orthodontic mouthguard is a tool that can greatly improve the safety of your child’s mouth. This mouthguard can protect their mouth from bleeding gums, broken teeth, and misaligned braces. A mouthguard can greatly increase your child’s defense against receiving serious damage that can end up being detrimental to their teeth and lead to costly brace repairs.
Protecting Your Child’s Braces
Having your child sit out of sports due to braces can hurt their self-esteem and make them feel isolated. Fortunately, mouthguards are the best option that will protect your children’s teeth and allow them to play. Orthodontists can provide your child with orthodontic mouthguards if you need them, so your child can get back into the game ASAP and keep having fun.
Playing sports is an important part of growing up. It teaches teamwork and self-improvement and is a great way for your child to socialize. Unfortunately, there are always risks that are associated with playing sports. Orthodontists recommend that your child receives braces as early as possible to avoid any damage that teeth growing in at awkward angles can cause. Give Jacaranda Smiles a call today to see how we can help your child smile with confidence!
Getting braces is a big deal. If your children’s dentist has recommended seeing an orthodontist for braces, there are things you can do to help your child transition to wearing braces.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist as soon as a problem is discovered. Typically it is recommended that a child sees an orthodontist by the age of seven. If your child has a need for braces following a few tips can help them adjust to wearing braces.
Tip Number One: Ask Questions
You are your child’s advocate. It is important that you feel confident when your child is getting braces. Building confidence starts with talking to your children’s orthodontist and gathering as much information as you can. Understanding what to expect for your child will help you to navigate the process with them. It’s important that you serve as a source of reassurance.
The more informed you are the better you can help your child to wear braces successfully. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about care and treatment.
Tip Number Two: Become a Good Listener
Your child will likely feel apprehensive about getting braces. They might have a lot of questions and need some reassurance. Listen intently to their concerns and do your best to address them. Helping your child adjust to wearing braces may mean just listening and being able to provide answers to their questions.
Tip Number Three: Follow The Orthodontist’s Diet Recommendations
One of the easiest ways to avoid problems with braces is to follow the orthodontist’s diet advice. For example, keeping sticky treats out of the house will ensure that there is no temptation for your child. Preparing meals that are easy for your child to eat will help them cope with any discomfort from the braces, too.
Tip Number Four: Make Sure They Have the Right Tools
Children often need a little extra help to care for their teeth when they have braces. The right tools can make a world of difference. A water tooth flosser, like Waterpik, can make it easier to clean between their teeth. You may also want to consider supervising oral hygiene for the first few weeks your child is wearing braces. This will ensure their teeth are properly cared for until they get used to the additional steps they need to take.
Tip Number Five: Address any Discomfort
While there is no real pain involved with wearing braces, there likely will be some discomfort. Address the discomfort with ice pops, ice cream, and over-the-counter pain medication. If your child continues to complain about the discomfort, make an appointment to see the orthodontist for a quick exam to see if there is anything else going on.
You and your child will get through this together. At the end of the road, your child will have a straight smile and healthy teeth that will make their life better.
Braces are often necessary to achieve a lovely smile. They are especially needed in young kids with crooked teeth or other orthodontic issues. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, you should schedule an evaluation as soon as any sign of orthodontic problems is present, but no later than age seven. That said, it’s crucial to ensure that your oral health is taken care of. Braces make plaque accumulation more likely because the brackets and wires trap food debris around the teeth, making them more difficult to clean. If you have braces to fix your teeth, below are tips you can take to keep your braces clean.
Brush After Every Meal
It’s critical that you clean your teeth after every meal. Food can quickly become entangled between braces and teeth. These food particles interact with the natural bacteria in your mouth, causing plaque accumulation and tooth damage. If you can’t brush your teeth, properly rinse your mouth with water. It’s important to clean the upper section of your teeth between the brackets and gums. To clean the enamel correctly, the toothbrush bristles should come into contact with the gums. Choose a brush with softer bristles to prevent irritation of the gums.
Don’t Forget to Floss
Flossing is one of the most difficult aspects of dental care for braces. When flossing, using a threader makes it easier to guide it through the wire. To remove more plaque, perform a saw-like motion with the threader. Also, consider getting a water flosser as well. It flosses quickly and easily and cleans with a spray of water.
Avoid Certain Food
You should try to not eat certain foods when wearing braces. Acidic foods and drinks are less favorable to your teeth than those with lower acidic content. Bananas, for example, are healthier for your teeth than oranges, while water is better than fizzy beverages. Your orthodontist should provide you with a list of foods that are good for your teeth while wearing braces and those you should avoid.
Keep Your Retainer Clean
It is equally as important to keep your dental retainer clean. When you are not wearing your retainer, use a mouthwash rinse to keep it bacteria-free. Keeping the retainer clean will help you get value out of your investment. You should make an effort to clean your retainer every day.
The steps above can be used to prevent plaque buildup while wearing braces and ensure it stays clean. Do you need orthodontic care? Give us a call today to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist.