For many kids, braces are a rite of passage, just like learning to tie their shoes or ride a bike. While every child is different, most children's dentists recommend that kids who need braces get them between the ages of 9 and 14, when they are still growing and it’s easier to straighten and align their teeth. Regardless of when they are put on, braces are a significant undertaking, and parents and kids need to understand what’s involved. 

Why Kids May Need Braces

Braces are designed to correct a wide range of alignment issues. They are often thought of as a tool for straightening crooked teeth, but they actually provide more than just cosmetic benefits. Braces can help improve dental hygiene and reduce the risk of more serious dental problems in the future, ensure there’s enough space for adult teeth, and reduce wear on teeth caused by clenching, grinding, or improper bites.

A children’s dentist will look for signs that your child may need braces beyond the obvious signs of crowded or crooked teeth and misaligned bite. Some of the things dentists look for include tooth spacing, disproportionate jaws or teeth, and clicking sounds in the jaw. The dentist will also ask about your child’s oral care habits and history. For instance, exceptionally early or late loss of baby teeth, thumb sucking, and mouth breathing are all signs of problems that can be corrected with braces. 

What Getting Braces Entails 

For many parents, the news of their child needing braces mostly creates worries about the cost. Although braces can be expensive, they entail much more than just paying the bill. 

Your children’s dentist and orthodontist will develop a specific treatment plan for your child, but you can expect it to take anywhere from 18 months to three years for your child’s teeth to correct. However, before the braces are put on, the dentist may need to perform additional work, such as extracting teeth to make space or installing a palate expander.

Your job when your child has braces is to ensure they practice proper hygiene, visit the orthodontist for regular checkups every few weeks, and if they have a palate expander, help turn the key every week to tighten the device and help the teeth shift. The dentist will provide instructions for this as well as any other adjusting or maintenance that needs to be done. 

Healthy teeth begin with good dental care, and Alaska Dentistry for Kids in Anchorage provides exceptional dental services in a calming, kid-friendly setting for children of all ages. The children’s dentist and his team offer everything from basic dental care and special needs dentistry to emergency dental treatments and orthodontist referrals. Make appointment for your child today by calling (907) 274-2525 or visit their website for more information about the practice.