Why Kids Need Braces
Kids can need braces for any number of reasons, including crooked, overlapping, or overcrowded teeth, or a “bad bite” (known as malocclusion). Malocclusion is when there’s a difference in the sizes of the top and bottom jaws. When the upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw, it’s called an overbite. When the lower jaw is bigger, it’s called an underbite.
Sometimes tooth and jaw problems can be caused by losing baby teeth too soon, accidents, or habits like thumb sucking. But often they’re inherited, so if you or someone in your family needed braces, it’s likely that your kids will, too.
Often, your child’s dentist will be the first to notice problems during a regular visit and recommend that you see an orthodontist (a dentist who specializes in correcting jaw and/or teeth alignment problems). The orthodontist can decide whether your child does indeed need braces and which devices would be best.
There’s no set age for a child’s first orthodontist visit — some kids go when they’re 6, some kids go when they’re 10, and some go while they’re teens. Even adults can need orthodontic treatment. Many orthodontists say kids should see an orthodontist once their permanent teeth start coming in, around age 7. At this age, issues such as uneven bite and overcrowding will become apparent.
Starting the process early doesn’t mean a child will get braces right away. It just means the orthodontist will be able to find problems and decide the best time to start treatment.
Braces Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease can spell out trouble for your mouth if you’re not taking care of your teeth and gums properly.
Fortunately, braces can help space teeth out properly so you can have an easier time brushing and flossing in between your teeth.
Without the straightening power of braces, food will be more easily lodged in between teeth, causing way more problems than Gum Disease.
Keep tooth decay at bay
Quite simply, if teeth are misaligned it makes them harder to brush and floss properly. Poor oral hygiene is linked to a wealth of problems such as an increased risk of cavities, bad breath and gum disease and if certain surfaces of the teeth do not receive proper cleaning, the result is a need for fillings, root canals, extractions and other expensive procedures. Opting for braces can provide a long term solution to keeping your teeth clean, and improving the overall health of your mouth without the need for uncomfortable treatments.
Braces Prevent Cavities
If caught early, cavities are easy to treat. But if you leave it alone to grow and flourish, the cavity will need further treatment, which can get costly.
How can braces prevent this?
Same way they prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Braces space out your teeth so you can clean your mouth better.
In other words, getting in between those small spaces between your teeth is important to its health and longevity.
Braces Help with Digestion
Need another reason why misaligned teeth can be problematic?
If your teeth are not properly straightened, your mouth can’t chew food into teeny tiny bits.
And your stomach has an easier time digesting teeny tiny bits of food than large chunks of it.
Even your stomach will thank you for your braces.
Braces Prevent Bone Erosion
Bone loss is yet another problem with misaligned teeth, which occurs when bacteria starts eating away at the bones.
But braces, erosion is not very likely to happen.
This is because braces help to realign the teeth to prevent this from happening.
Braces Help with Self-Esteem
While bracers are certainly important for your health, they play a key role in one’s confidence.
In fact, one of the best parts of having braces is how much it can raise someone’s self esteem. In the long run, braces help to create a great smile.
And who doesn’t want to show off their new smile at a social event?
Braces Help with Bad Bites
A bad bite can cause problems with eating when your teeth don’t fit together properly.
This also make your jaw tired, which eventually leads to tooth loss.
Luckily, braces help to realign these upper and lower parts of your mouth.
Improved Speech
The position of the teeth heavily impacts word formation and speech. Dentists in Toms River have found that patients who have undergone braces therapy report improved speech, particularly regarding the pronunciation of sounds like “th,” “s” and “ch.” In fact, children with speech impediments should first be examined by a dentist to diagnose or rule out factors that could be remedied by braces.
Fewer Headaches
Misaligned teeth are often related to misaligned jaws. Due to the nature of anatomy, a misaligned jaw often leads to headaches, both mild and severe. If your Toms River dentist is recommending braces, and you suffer from chronic headaches, you might be able to look forward to fewer incidences of those occurrences.
Braces can be fun!
Having braces is now considered a very normal part of teenage years and at Carter Orthodonitcs we find that teens often select colored elastics to make a bold fashion statement. The self-conscious teen or adults can opt for more discreet ceramic braces with white wires or the ultimate in invisibility – lingual braces (behind the teeth).
Are you ready to begin your journey to a beautiful, healthier smile? Click here to schedule your complimentary consultation with Carter Orthodontics.
