Ever wondered why some children have these brilliant metallic faces? Braces, what every child now seems to get at some point in his/her childhood. Get this, braces can be found more often than you think among elementary school children. But why do these little embers require these young kiddos to have them?
The Starting Line: The earlier the better
First things first, if dental problems are detected at an early stage, then they can be prevented from worsening. At a certain age, kids’ jaws and teeth are still developing, which is the best time to control their position. An orthodontist looks out for issues like misplaced teeth, crowded teeth and misalignment of teeth and that too keeping in mind the teeth which are still there in the child’s mouth which will remain there for a longer period.
Did you know? The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children visit an orthodontist by the age 7.
Growth Spurts: It is never too early or too late.
Growth of children happens at a very fast rate and that is why their mouth also changes at the same rate. It is possible for a child to have a new tooth come through and become misaligned or have a new gap appear. Treating these challenges as soon as possible means less problems in the teenage years when cosmetic problems arise. Let me give you an example – it’s easier and cheaper to treat a bug problem before it becomes an infestation.
Peer Pressure or Health Necessity?
You might be asking, are they not just as much for appearance as they were in the past? No, they are not. That is why it is not very uncommon for many little ones to concern themselves with having the best possible outcome. Some of the consequences of having crooked teeth or jaw problems are: speech problems, eating difficulties, and even jaw aches. Solving these early help in as far as oral health is concerned.
Investment, Yet, Not Only for Beauty?
It is not only for improving the look of the patient since braces also help in improving the bite. Expanding the treatment of bite problems at an early age can avoid complications such as caries and periodontal disease. Although it may appear to be a costly exercise, the benefits that one gets in terms of dental health may not be easily espoused.
Living with the so-called ‘Metal Mouth’ is a Nightmare.
In reality, it is rather stressful to get braces – nobody likes to be called a metal mouth. But, there are such things as clear braces, fluorescent rubber bands, and more appealing designs to make the process of wearing braces less of a chore. Also, when children get braces at these years, they start junior high school with that great smile.
What about Invisalign?
Invisalign seems to be some sort of magic, and for kids? In fact, it is ideal for teens and young adults, but even the younger kids with slight dental problems may profit from it.
FAQs
Why do experts recommend taking kids to orthodontists by the age of seven? These are because the mouth is still developing and any problems can be identified at this stage.
Are braces only needed for all children? No, only when there are dental problems which need to be fixed.
Are braces uncomfortable and how do the children cope with it? It is normal to feel some discomfort when wearing braces but children seem to get used to it quite fast.
Is Invisalign treatment something that can be worn by young children? Yes, but in some cases, the traditional braces are more useful.
Conclusion
This is not only why children in elementary school may have those shiny metallic smiles, but it is a preventive approach towards maintaining good oral health in the future. Correcting the misalignments at the right time averts a worse situation in the future and also does not allow small problems to become big ones. Little by little, it prepares children not only for a better-looking smile, but also for a healthier one. Thanks for reading through this article and we encourage you to check out more on this and other related topics on our site!
| Benefits of Early Orthodontic Evaluation | Examples |
|---|---|
| There is a possibility of identifying the problems: | There are several, including uneven bites, spacing issues. |
| The condition may be managed early: | Some of them include: Crooked teeth corrections. |
| Prevention: | This includes preventing other oral health complications in the future. |
- Braces can influence overall oral health
- If the problems are identified at an early stage, then it will ensure that one does not need a lot of treatment in the future
- At a young age, it helps in correcting speech and chewing problems
