Do you know more than 3 million Americans and Canadians teens have teeth braces? While the largest number is kids and teenagers, braces can be used by anyone. Braces help treat orthodontic problems such as teeth crowding, spacing, crooked teeth, and teeth bites. If not treated, these issues can worsen to become severe oral problems such as periodontal diseases and tooth loss. Is your kid suffering from any orthodontic issues? Perhaps you want to give them a better smile by correcting crooked teeth. If so, choosing braces for kids is necessary to have the problem corrected at a young age.
This offers them a better smile to improve self-confidence. Also, it avoids costly orthodontic procedures in their adulthood to correct severe issues.
Today, there exists a wide variety of braces to suit your kid’s lifestyle and needs. However, not just any type suits your kid, and you must hit the nail on the head when choosing one. With multiple options available, the process of picking the right one becomes overwhelming.
Wondering how to make the right choice of braces for your little one? Here are 8 factors to consider when choosing kid braces
1. Issues to Be Fixed
Why do you want braces for your kid? Giving a clear and well-defined answer to this question can help break down the process. All types of braces, lingual, traditional, Invisalign, and ceramic, are designed to treat certain issues.
For instance, if your kid suffers from serious misalignment issues such as crooked teeth, crowding teeth, or big gaps, metal braces offer the best solution. They offer a more intensive type of treatment and can effectively treat serious orthodontic issues. However, clear aligners become the best option if they have small gaps or several teeth are out of place.
If you are not sure, you may need to book an appointment with a pediatric orthodontist. They will examine what issue your kid is suffering from and determine the best braces to use to achieve that dream smile.
2. Consider Your Teen’s Appearance
Are you concerned about how your kid will look with the braces? Or maybe you just want them to get the perfect smile as quickly as possible. The appearance you want will determine the type of braces to pick for your kid.
The traditional metal braces are the best option when you are not concerned about your kid’s appearance and want to treat the problem. Apart from being the most effective treatment option, it is also the cheapest.
If your kid doesn’t want the highly visible option, then the clear aligners or nighttime aligners will be the best option. Nighttime aligners are worn at night and removed when you don’t want to have them on.
However, ask your teen their preference regarding their appearance. This ensures they are comfortable with how they look once they have them.
3. Pain and Discomfort
In choosing braces for your kid or teen, you ought to consider how comfortable the option you choose is. Keep in mind your kid or teen will take some time to get used to the braces.
To make a better choice, consult your pediatric orthodontist, who will recommend the right option.
4. Treatment Time
For how long do you want your kid to receive the treatment?
Several factors will come to play when determining how long brace treatment can take. These include the age, severity of the condition, patient compliance, and type of braces. Typically, the treatment can last anywhere between 12 months to 3 years, depending on these factors.
When choosing braces for kids, be sure to check how long your kid or teen will last with them. Also, check how regularly you will need to take your teen to an orthodontist for a follow-up.
5. Discuss the Type of Care Involved
Different types of braces will require varying levels of maintenance and care to be effective.
For the ceramic and metal braces, regular brushing and flossing are necessary to prevent staining and loosening of the brace. Also, your kid will be limited to what they can eat since crunchy and hard foods can damage the braces. It’s important to know the braces-friendly food.
Invisalign braces can be removed before eating, and your kid won’t have to avoid any meals or learn new ways to floss. Consider checking on braces maintenance to get comprehensive information about each type.
6. Consider Your Child’s Responsibility Level
Some types of braces require patients to wear them at least 22 hours a day. One needs to practice a lot of self-discipline to recover using the braces fully.
If your kid forgets to wear the aligners, then the treatment will be ineffective, resulting in a waste of time and money. If your child can’t manage the responsibility required, consider opting for permanent braces that need not be removed.
7. Consider Their Activity
You don’t want to limit your child or teen’s participation in their hobbies with braces, do you? It’s key to select braces that align with their activity level.
For instance, if your child engages in physical activity such as athletics, you may consider a removable aligner for them. This ensures they can remove them when participating in games to avoid discomfort or even damage them.
8. Consider Cost
When choosing braces for your kid, you should create a budget. Also, comparing braces cost helps to determine those within your budget and which you can afford for your teen.
Braces don’t come cheap, and you’ll pay more depending on the level of comfort you want. However, don’t avoid braces due to cost; check if your orthodontist offers payment plan options to make it more affordable.
Use the Above Tips in Choosing Braces for Kids
While brace treatment can completely transform the smile of your kid or teen, it’s necessary to pick the right braces for them. Choosing a kid’s braces doesn’t have to be daunting if you exactly know what to look for.
Are you looking for an orthodontist in Wyoming or Montana? At Bennion Lambourne, we got you covered. We are a highly experienced orthodontic practice treating our clients with professionalism, compassion, and honest to help them achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.
Contact us today for a free consultation.