Orthodontic braces are gaining momentum worldwide since they can address a series of dental imperfections. Braces at a young age are considered to have a positive impact on the duration and effectiveness of the treatment.
Pediatric braces offered by Streamwood, Illinois dentist and their team are state-of-the-art dental appliances with minimal pain and discomfort.
The need for braces in children
Orthodontic braces offer versatile applications to correct several dental flaws, such as:
- Missing teeth
- Extra teeth
- Malaligned, crooked, or crowded teeth
- Overbite
- Open bite
- Underbite
- Abnormal jaw position leading to malocclusion
Misalignment of pediatric teeth often occurs due to genetic (passed down through generations) predisposition or certain acquired habits like:
- Mouth breathing
- Thumb or finger sucking
- Prolonged pacifier use
- Pencil biting
- Poor oral hygiene practices
- Nutritional deficiencies
The appropriate age for pediatric braces
In most cases, dentists believe the ideal age for braces and other orthodontic treatments is between 10 and 15 years of age.
This is because during this age:
- There is active growth and development
- The bones are usually malleable or flexible during this age.
- Any movement during the treatment requires less time and effort as compared to adult patients.
Thus you may achieve the desired results in a short span of time in children.
Oral care practices for children with braces
Orthodontic braces can pose a challenge to maintaining proper oral hygiene. Thus, the following recommendations can help maintain good oral hygiene:
- Brush your teeth twice daily and after every meal with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Floss daily between the teeth and braces
- Use a proxabrush to remove food and debris from between the teeth
- If required, use an oral irrigator to remove debris between the teeth, brackets, and wires
- Avoid hard or sticky foods that may damage the orthodontic brackets and wires
Types of orthodontic appliances for pediatric use
There is a wide range of orthodontic appliances that work wonders for pediatric use. These include:
Fixed braces
- These comprise brackets fixed to each tooth and connected with an archwire
Fixed appliances
- These include space maintainers and palatal expanders that are usually fixed and cannot be removed
Headgears
- These are customized devices used to treat developmental bony irregularities and worn for a specific period of time
Retainers
- These devices are used in the retention phase to maintain the results achieved during the active phase
- It ensures your teeth maintain a proper alignment and do not bounce back to misalignment
Final note
Your child’s smile and oral health are equally important. Ensure to detect any irregularity in your child’s dentition as early as possible to seek dental care.