We are passionate about creating beautiful smiles that last a lifetime, and this means that patients of all ages can take the first step to better aesthetics and improved oral health. We are proud to provide our younger patients with the treatment they need to set their smiles up for success. Braces are a tried-and-true corrective treatment that has been refined in recent years to improve efficiency and appearance. Many of our younger patients have had great success in braces and now have dazzling smiles that are timeless.
With our knowledgeable team and advanced technology, our practice has everything your child needs to enjoy an elevated treatment experience. We’ve gained the trust of our communities because of our consistent results and attention to detail. Our younger generation of patients is in good hands when they are under the care of our board-certified doctors and caring team. We are excited to be a part of this life-changing process, and we can’t wait to start this journey with your family.
When Should My Child Get Braces?
While there is no exact age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends visiting the orthodontist around age seven. By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, making it easier for our orthodontists to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without surgery. There are many benefits of early treatment, and our doctors are able to perform functions such as:
- Correct and guide the growth of your child’s jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight.
- Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
- Create more space for crowded teeth
- Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
- Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems
While getting a head start on orthodontic treatment can be beneficial while your child’s mouth is still growing and forming, it’s possible to start too soon. Our practice prides itself on offering treatments we believe are in the patient’s best interest, and we would never put your child in braces before we believe they are necessary. You can trust our team to guide your family through every step of the process and give you honest recommendations that will help improve your child’s oral health and aesthetics.
How Do I Know If My Child Needs to See an Orthodontist
We know that it can be challenging to know when to bring in your child for their first appointment. While we suggest bringing them in for a complimentary exam around the age of seven, there are a few things you can look for that suggest your child may benefit from braces, such as:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting food
- Mouth breathing
- Finger or thumb sucking
- Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
- Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
- Teeth that come together abnormally or do not come together at all
- Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
- Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
No one knows your child better than you, and it’s common for parents to notice these conditions as they develop. If you don’t see these signs, your general dentist should be able to spot any issues and refer you for treatment during one of your child’s regular cleanings. Even if you don’t have a referral from a dentist, you can reach out to our office directly, and our team will be happy to set you up for your first visit.
What to Expect When Getting Braces for Kids?
Kids have great success in braces because their mouths are still growing, and this makes it easy to direct their teeth and jaw in the right directions. Children also have an easier time adjusting to change, so they are likely to get used to their appliances quicker than our older patients. Our team understands that some patients get nervous before their visits, and we are working to break this cycle of anxiety by creating a comfortable environment and inviting the family of our younger patients into the back. This allows parents to stay informed on their child’s treatment and makes our young patients feel more at ease during this exciting process.
While braces shouldn’t have a drastic impact on your kid’s lifestyle, there are a few guidelines they should follow to maximize the success of their treatment. It’s important that they avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods because these foods could break brackets and pull wires. We suggest replacing these foods in their diet with snacks that are softer and easy to chew.
It’s also important that your child maintains great oral health while in treatment. They should continue brushing twice a day and flossing often. Some areas may be more difficult to reach with a toothbrush, but it’s important they clean around their brackets and wires where some food debris may be stuck. By keeping their appliance clean, you can protect their progress and ensure nothing gets in the way of their happy and healthy smile.
The Cost of Braces
The cost of braces varies depending on the patients and their orthodontic needs and goals. We customize treatment plans for every member of our family of patients, so each process looks a little different. While these plans aren’t one-size-fits-all, we provide affordable financing plans so that there is nothing stopping your child from getting the smile they deserve. Our practice is committed to creating beautiful smiles that improve our patients’ quality of life, and we are excited to help your child on the journey to a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.