If your son or daughter has had their seventh birthday, The American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association recommend scheduling an appointment with an orthodontist. That is because it is common for seven-year-old children to have some of their adult teeth coming in and serious bite issues such as overbites, underbites, and crooked teeth are becoming more obvious. Once you and your child are in the office, the following questions can help you understand the need for braces and what your son or daughter's experience with braces will include.

#1-Is Your Child Too Young To Diagnose Or Treat Problems?

One concern you may have when discussing braces, especially if you are bringing your young child to the appointment, often relates to scheduling braces when your son or daughter is still growing. However, most kids who get braces in the United States do so between the ages of 9 and 14. That is because it is now believed that by treating bite abnormalities and crooked teeth early, the issues can be corrected more quickly and with fewer interventions.

#2-How Can You Make Braces More Comfortable For Your Child?

If you had braces as a child or remember the discomfort that your friends went through, the thought that your little one will need them soon can be a little terrifying. Fortunately, there have been a lot of improvements in braces in recent years, so your child is not likely to go through the pain that you remember.

For instance, modern brackets on metal braces are less obvious to others because they are smaller and cover less of the teeth, which also provides less irritation to the surrounding area. In addition, teeth can also move with less pain and faster due to new archwires that use your body heat, so dental wax is no longer needed.

#3-What Kind Of Braces Does Your Child Need?

It will also be helpful to determine what the most appropriate type of braces will be for your child. Therefore, you should be aware of the four common types of braces and when they will be useful. Be sure to ask the orthodontist about metal, ceramic and lingual braces, as well as the less invasive option of aligners.

Metal braces include braces and wires. They are the least expensive choice and, along with ceramic braces, provide the maximum benefit. Metal braces are the most obvious and the least expensive choice. Ceramic braces can be less obvious since you can elect tooth-colored brackets and wires to further downplay their presence.

If significant correction is not needed, lingual braces may be an acceptable choice. They are similar to metal braces, except they only adhere to the inside of the teeth. Finally, for mild cases, clear plastic aligners can be custom made to the exact specifications of your child's teeth and changed out every two weeks for new units as their smile improves.

In conclusion, orthodontics for kids are often challenging for you and for them. Therefore, it is best to prepare for the possibility of needing them by involving your son or daughter in an in-depth question-and-answer period with your pediatric orthodontist.

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