The Straight Facts on Braces
When you were a teen, you may have thought your braces were ... ugly. Luckily for your kids, those heavy metal rings that used to wrestle your teeth into position are a thing of the past.
Today's braces are a combination of tiny brackets that attach to the teeth and wires that connect the brackets and guide the teeth in the right direction. The brackets are made of plastic, ceramic, or metal. Some are clear and nearly invisible. While most brackets attach to the front of the teeth, orthodontists can sometimes attach brackets to the backs of teeth.4
The best age to get braces varies from child to child. Orthodontic treatment often begins between ages 8 and 14 because kids in this age range have at least some permanent teeth and are still growing.3
The American Dental Association recommends that children visit an orthodontist for a checkup no later than age 7. Ask your regular dentist for advice.3
Signs that your child might benefit from braces or other orthodontic work include:1
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Early or late loss of baby teeth
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Difficulty in chewing or biting
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Mouth breathing
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Thumb or finger sucking
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Crowding, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
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Jaws that shift or make sounds
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Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
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Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
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Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
If your child gets braces, the dentist will stress the need for proper oral hygiene. Removing food debris and plaque is important to prevent cavities, gum disease, and permanent scarring to tooth enamel. The dentist will also ask your child to avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods and not to put pencils, pens, or similar objects in the mouth.3
You can expect to take your child to the dentist for checkups and cleanings at least every six months, or perhaps more often depending on your child's case.2
How long will your child need braces? The American Association of Orthodontists says the length of treatment varies for each patient.4
1 "Early Warning Signs Indicating It's Time for an Orthodontic Exam." American Association of Orthodontists. http://www.braces.org/learn/When-Should-I-Start.cfm. Accessed 2009.
2 "Frequently Asked Questions." American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. http://www.aapd.org/pediatricinformation/faq.asp. Accessed 2009.
3 "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)." American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/public/topics/braces_faq.asp. Accessed 2009.
4 "Myths and Facts." American Association of Orthodontists. 2009. http://www.braces.org/mythsandfacts/myths2.cfm. Accessed 2009.