Nearly 4 million children under the age of 18 in the United States and Canada are currently wearing braces. How do you know if your child should be one of them? Here are some guidelines to help you decide.
Purpose
Braces are used to move teeth into the best position, but remember that braces are not only about appearance. They fix minor problems from slightly crooked teeth to serious issues like jaw disorders. With treatment, your orthodontist can repair overbites, underbites, and reposition teeth. Orthodontics may also correct problems like speech impediments, TMJ pain, and teeth grinding.
Age
The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that kids have their first orthodontic consultation by age 7 so that your orthodontist can take preventative actions and possibly avoid the need for braces in the future. Usually, children get braces between the ages of 10 and 14 because kids in this range have some permanent teeth and are still growing. Your dentist is a great resource for telling you if your child, regardless of age, should see an orthodontist. Because 25 percent of today’s orthodontic patients are adults, any individuals with concerns should schedule an orthodontic consultation.
Warning Signs
You may observe some obvious signs that braces are in your child’s future, such as very overcrowded or crooked teeth. Some kids may have trouble chewing or closing their lips over their teeth. If children grind their teeth or have a history of thumb-sucking, orthodontic problems may arise. Early or late tooth loss is another sign that braces may be necessary as your child grows.
Recommendation
Keep in mind that a dentist’s or orthodontist’s recommendation does not mean that you have no choice about your child’s treatment plan. Make sure you understand the reasons for the suggested treatment, and ask any questions you may have. Don’t hesitate to get a second opinion so that you are completely confident in the decision you are making about your child’s smile.
Your braces have been removed and your teeth are perfectly straight! It’s time to just enjoy your new smile since treatment is complete, right? Wrong! It’s time to wear your retainer so that your teeth stay in their new positions. A retainer is a custom-made appliance that continues to train your teeth to remain in place after your braces have been removed.
There are three types of retainers that orthodontists use to secure your new smile:
• Hawley: The most popular style, this is the traditional metal wire attached to an acrylic piece that fits in the roof of your mouth. You can take it in and out as desired.
• Essix: This type of retainer looks similar to Invisalign braces or to whitening trays. These are less noticeable than the traditional type, but are also flimsier and more breakable.
• Bonded: This permanent retainer consists of a wire being glued to the back of your teeth, and it cannot be removed by the patient. Your orthodontist will decide how long it remains in place; some remove the retainer dependent upon wisdom teeth removal, and others keep the retainer in place forever. One downside to this retainer is that tartar is difficult for dentists to remove with the retainer in place, so it’s very important to brush and floss properly and to see your dentist regularly.
Your orthodontist will help you decide which retainer is best for you. No matter what kind it is, the key is to wear it regularly for the recommended timeframe. Initially, that will be all day long for a number of months. Later, you’ll be able to only wear it at night. Remember, if you stop wearing your retainer, your teeth will shift. It may be the last step of your orthodontic treatment, but it’s also one of the most important.
If you wear braces on your teeth, there’s a chance that you will be one of the many orthodontic patients who must wear rubber bands as part of their treatment. They play an important role in achieving a perfect smile.
How do rubber bands help?
Braces by themselves only move teeth along the upper or lower sets of teeth, but rubber bands apply constant pressure to move the lower jaw and upper jaw into proper alignment with each other. The goal of rubber bands is to achieve a perfect bite. Repairing the bite is often the longest and most difficult phase of the orthodontic process, but rubber bands help move your jaw into the correct position more quickly. The way that the bands are attached to the braces is customized to each patient to direct tension in the best way for you.
How much should I wear them?
Orthodontists recommend that you wear rubber bands all day, removing them only to brush, floss, replace with new bands, or occasionally to eat. Most of the time you should eat with them in place, as it is helpful for your mouth to learn to work with that tension. Rubber bands should be worn when sleeping and playing sports. Leaving them off for even just one day can erase progress you’ve made.
Will I get used to them?
It takes a few days to learn to take the rubber bands in and out, but after some practice it becomes simple. It’s normal for your teeth, jaws, and mouth to be a bit sore at first, but that goes away. However, if you do not wear your rubber bands consistently, you will have constant discomfort because your mouth won’t get used to them.
What if I don’t wear them consistently?
To achieve the best orthodontic results in the shortest amount of time, you must be committed to wearing your rubber bands as your orthodontist has recommended. Wearing them intermittently will negatively affect your progress, so it’s vital to wear them full time.
Pacifiers have been used by parents for many years to soothe babies, who are born with a strong sucking reflex and find security in the pacifier. It is a normal part of development, but parents often wonder how long it is appropriate to allow their child to suck on a pacifier. One of the concerns is that it can negatively affect a child’s dental health. Here are some things to consider about long-term pacifier use.
Age
Most children stop sucking on pacifiers between the ages of two and four. Pacifier use after age four may lead to dental problems, with the risk becoming greater the older the child becomes.
Teeth
Dentists say that older children who use pacifiers have increased risk of protruding front teeth, described as teeth that slant outward. Also, the bottom front teeth may tilt in. Longer pacifier use can delay losing the front baby teeth at a normal time, and may postpone the emergence of permanent teeth.
Jaw alignment
Prolonged pacifier use may increase the risk of an improper bite. Often this means narrowing of the upper jaw compared to the lower jaw, which is commonly called a cross bite. Another common effect is an open bite, which is a gap between the upper and lower front teeth when the mouth is closed. Also, there is an increase of overjet, described as a horizontal projection of the upper teeth past the lower teeth.
Correcting problems
For many children, the effects of prolonged pacifier use is self-correcting, but only if the child stops using a pacifier before the permanent teeth emerge. Orthodontists say that teeth tend to go back to their ideal positions if the habit stops before the adult teeth come in. However, some of the more severe outcomes such as cross bite do not correct on their own. Orthodontists can use a variety of appliances to coax the teeth and jaw into proper alignment.
If you or your child needs orthodontic treatment, you may feel slightly overwhelmed by the details and terminology. Developing an understanding of the lingo will help you feel more comfortable with the process. After performing a thorough exam and evaluation, your orthodontist will explain treatment recommendations.
Some of the common orthodontic terms you may hear include:
Archwire
Designed to provide a guide for your teeth as they move, an archwire metal wire that attaches to the brackets. Your orthodontist will change the archwire periodically during treatment.
Brackets
A ceramic or metal piece cemented to the front of your teeth and used to hold the archwire in place.
Cross bite
Also called an under bite, a cross bite occurs when the lower teeth overlap with the upper teeth, which can cause gum recession and uneven tooth wear.
Expander
Often used before braces, an expander is an appliance used to make your jaw bigger.
Ligation
The process of attaching the archwire to your brackets.
Malocclusion
A misalignment or issue with the teeth and the way the upper and lower teeth fit together.
Orthodontics
The dental specialty dealing with preventing and correcting irregularities with the teeth. To be accredited as an orthodontist, a dentist must complete two to three years of post-graduate training after dental school.
Spacer
The small rubber device used to produce space between teeth so that the bands can be placed.
Retainer
Worn after the orthodontist removes your braces, a retainer attaches to the upper and lower teeth to keep them from shifting into the incorrect position. Retainers can be removable or bonded in place.
You can enjoy a flawless smile at any age, including as an adult. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), approximately one in five patients is over 21. With modern orthodontic treatments, adults can achieve the gorgeous smiles they desire without the unpleasantness associated with traditional orthodontia.
At one time, metal braces were the only choice if you wanted to straighten your teeth. Now, adult patients can select from other options such as:
Ceramic brackets
Made from tooth-colored materials, ceramic braces are designed to blend with your natural teeth and offer inconspicuous orthodontic treatment. Usually, the bands used to hold the arch wires on are often clear or white. Ceramic braces, however, tend to cost more than traditional orthodontia does.
Lingual braces
With this type of treatment, the brackets are placed on the back sides of your teeth, which means they aren’t visible to others. Lingual braces will correct the alignment of your teeth, just as metal brackets would do. Treatment typically takes about the same amount of time as traditional braces. Initially, patients may have an adjustment period as they get used to having the brackets on the back of their teeth.
Invisalign clear aligners
One of the most popular choices for adults, Invisalign clear braces are custom, acrylic aligners that gently shift teeth into the desired position. The plastic trays fit over teeth and do not require any adjustments. Most of the time, no one besides your orthodontist will even know that you are undergoing treatment. Because the aligners are removable, you can keep teeth and gums in top condition.
