While there’s no one best age for your child to have braces, there are some general guidelines you can keep in mind when it comes to seeking orthodontic care. The best age will vary for each child, and your little one is unique! Here’s what you need to know about the best age for your child to have braces.

Get an Orthodontic Evaluation By Age 7

Children should be evaluated for braces as their permanent teeth are coming in. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be seen by an orthodontist no later than age 7 [1]. Why does your child need to be seen at such a young age?

At this age, your child will still have some of their baby teeth, but also some of their permanent teeth as well. An orthodontist will be able to see bite and alignment problems forming at this age, if they are present, and recommend treatment as early as possible to prevent the need for more extensive treatment later on.

No Two Cases or Treatment Times Will Be the Same

The best age to begin orthodontic treatment will vary, as no two kids are the same in their orthodontic issues, tooth development, and jaw development. However, the most common ages to begin orthodontia are between the ages of 8 and 14 [2].

The average treatment time for orthodontia will range anywhere from one year to over two years. In general, however, the average time for treatment is just under two years. It’s important to remember that every child is different and treatment times can vary greatly!

Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Seek Orthodontic Care for Your Child

As kids’ teeth are generally still developing during their first orthodontist consultation, this is a good age to consider treatment. Some children will need orthodontic intervention earlier based on their issues, while others can wait until their teenage years. Some interventions are easier to do at earlier ages than they are as your child gets older.

The first orthodontist visit is usually simple and painless for children, and will involve an exam and some questions, including x-rays [3]. Based on your orthodontist’s findings, he or she may discuss treatment options with you at this time.

Is It Time to See the Orthodontist?

Your dentist can usually tell if your child requires orthodontic work, and can recommend an
experienced orthodontist to you for treatment. Some dental practices handle orthodontics as well to make treatment even more convenient. Is it time to schedule an appointment for your child to be evaluated for braces? Don’t put off this important appointment!

Sources:
1. https://www.aaoinfo.org/blog/parent-s-guide-post/first-visit/
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/braces/expert-answers/dental-
3. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/braces.html

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After your time with braces, you want to keep your smile as straight and beautiful as possible for life. How can you ensure that your smile looks its best after your orthodontic care?

Wear Your Retainer

Your orthodontist will have your retainer ready for you on the day your braces are taken off. Retainers are often made of wire and plastic and are uniquely shaped to fit your smile perfectly. You’ll need to wear these little trays every day and night for a full six months after getting your braces off. After six months, you’ll still need to continue wearing your retainer for a while. How long? Orthodontists recommend wearing your retainer nightly for life in order to maintain your straight smile and keep your teeth from shifting!

Get Regular Dental Checkups

Getting checkups with your dentist can also be an opportunity for you to check in with your dentist regarding your retainer. Your retainer may need to be replaced or may not fit correctly. If this is the case, bring your retainer with you and talk to your dentist or orthodontist about getting a replacement.

If you stop wearing your retainer, chances are your teeth will shift, so it’s imperative that it fits correctly and is comfortable to wear at night. Getting regular dental exams can also ensure that your teeth haven’t shifted and that your retainer is doing its job!

Take Care of Your Retainer

You’ll need to brush your retainer every day in order to remove bacteria and plaque that can build up on the surfaces of the retainer. Always store your retainer in a safe place—your orthodontist has likely given you a small, hard case to store it in. Keep it in a familiar place in this protective case!

Losing your retainer could end up being a costly replacement, so always keep it at home when you wear it nightly. When you remove it, always put it back in its case. By taking care of your retainer, you help to take care of your smile and keep your teeth straight and pretty.

Practice Excellent Oral Care

Maintaining the same great oral care habits that you had while receiving orthodontic treatment can help prevent tooth loss. Losing teeth will provoke shifting among the remaining teeth in your mouth, so taking the best possible care of your smile is crucial to prevent this from happening.

Pay attention to any changes in your smile—whether you notice food getting stuck in odd places or shifting teeth, schedule an appointment with your dentist if you notice any changes. Brushing twice daily for two minutes and flossing between your beautiful teeth can keep them clean and free of decay!

Taking care of your smile doesn’t stop just because your braces are off. Keeping your teeth straight, beautiful, and healthy is easy when you check in with your dentist, wear and take care of your retainer, and practice great oral care habits. Enjoy your new smile for life!

Image courtesy of yodiyim at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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How can you know if you have good oral health? By answering these questions, you can find out where you stand when it comes to excellent oral hygiene!

Do You Follow the Two Minutes Two Times Rule?

The two minutes two times a day rule refers to brushing your teeth. This means that for two minutes two times a day, you should be gently brushing your teeth! Do you brush your teeth for the full two minutes, and do you actually take the time to brush twice a day? If you answered no to even one of these questions, you could be setting yourself up for subpar oral health!

Do You Floss After Meals?

Flossing once a day is crucial to help clean the surfaces of your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. By flossing after meals, you can effectively remove plaque and trapped food particles that would otherwise affect the protective enamel layer of your teeth. Floss is easy to keep with you and flossing can help clean teeth and gums better than brushing alone.

Are You Eating a Healthy Diet?

What we eat has a huge impact on our health. Eating lots of sugary foods will create an imbalance of good and bad oral bacteria in your mouth. When the bad bacteria take over, your mouth becomes acidic and your enamel is subject to damage. This can cause cavities, sensitive teeth, and bad breath! By eating a well balanced diet with lots of fresh vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats, you can maintain excellent oral health.

How Often Do You Replace Your Toothbrush?

If it’s been more than three months since you’ve replaced your toothbrush, you’ve got a problem. Soft- bristled toothbrushes are the best kind to have since they’re gentle on your teeth. Your soft-bristled toothbrush doesn’t have to fray to mean it needs to be replaced. Dentists agree that three months is the maximum amount of time before getting a new one due to its daily use and bacteria exposure!

Do You Smoke?

Smoking greatly increases your risk for oral diseases, including gum disease and oral cancers. If you smoke or use tobacco products, quitting can help restore your oral health. Talk to your dentist about setting a date to quit!

How Often Do You Visit Your Dentist?

Speaking of dentists, how often do you visit yours? You should be visiting your dentist at least once a year, ideally every six months. Some people may need to see the dentist more often, some less often. Your dentist can assess your oral health and let you know what’s appropriate for you. Visiting your dentist can not only help prevent oral health issues, but also keeps your mouth clean and healthy!

So how good is your oral health based on your answers? Maintaining proper oral health is a habit that’s easy to make. By ceasing use of tobacco products, eating a balanced diet, and visiting your dentist, you can help your smile to stay healthy for life. Of course don’t forget to brush and floss—and replace that toothbrush if it’s been longer than three months!

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So how does Invisalign work to transform your smile?

Custom-Fitting Trays Adjust Your Teeth

Instead of using metal brackets, Invisalign uses custom-fitting trays to slowly move your teeth into place. These trays are designed specifically for your teeth and are changed out every two weeks to keep your teeth moving into their correct positions. These series of aligners are pre-made for you after your orthodontist designs your treatment plan.

The aligners are clear and, hence their name, virtually invisible when worn. Invisalign aligners are meant to be worn for 20-22 hours every day. During each phase of treatment, certain teeth are moved into their correct positions due to the constant, gentle pressure of the aligners. This makes the treatment easy and the best part—no bracket adjustments!

Corrects Most Alignment and Bite Issues

Invisalign transforms your smile by correcting nearly any problem your smile has. These orthodontic issues that could be impacting the beauty and quality of your smile include bite problems, misaligned teeth, or crowded teeth. Invisalign can help correct overbites, underbites, and even open bites and cross bites. They can correct gapped teeth and overcrowded teeth as well.

These seemingly minor structural problems in your smile can lead to bigger problems like trouble speaking and chewing. Complex bite problems could even lead to the development of pain in your jaw muscles and joints, also known as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. When you receive treatment with Invisalign, you can correct your smile and be totally transformed without the use of traditional braces!

Boosts Your Confidence

Invisalign helps to boost your confidence in two ways—you have no braces and no change in your appearance while receiving treatment, yet you have straighter teeth! People won’t even notice you’re transforming your smile yet they’ll notice something different about you. Invisalign gives you the power to attain your dream smile without having to deal with the appearance of metal braces.

Don’t worry about chewing with metal braces— with Invisalign aligners, you have the option of fully removing the trays before eating. This isn’t an option when you have traditional braces. So don’t worry about getting food stuck in your brackets, instead you can simply remove the aligners until you’re ready to wear them again.

Invisalign treatment is a great choice for kids and adults alike. From students who are sensitive about the inconvenience or appearance of braces to adults who want a perfect smile without announcing to the world that they’re receiving treatment, Invisalign just works. Schedule a visit with your orthodontics provider to talk about whether or not you qualify for Invisalign to perfect your smile!

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Yogurt and Smoothies

At first it’ll probably be soothing to have something cool on your mouth, so yogurt and smoothies are a great choice! You can opt for regular yogurt or coconut or almond milk yogurt if you’re dairy-free—either option works for breakfast or a snack while you’re adjusting to your braces. You can also make smoothies with frozen fruit and leafy greens in there to get some vegetables in during those first few days. Smoothies are easy to drink and feel soothing on your smile!

Steamed Vegetables

Once you’re feeling like you can chew a little more, steam some vegetables! Steaming vegetables makes them soft and much easier to eat—just be sure you steam them long enough that they’re almost mushy for your easy consumption. Great vegetables to steam in those first few days include cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, and carrots.

Fruits That Are Soft

Some firm fruits like apples and pears should be avoided during the adjustment period with your new braces. However, other fruits like bananas make a fantastic option and tend to be easy to consume. You may also choose to eat kiwi, peaches, oranges, or mango. Be sure the fruits are ripened, as unripe fruits can be hard and not contain as many nutrients as their ripened counterparts!

Breads

While some breads and bread products can be hard (think baguettes and croutons), softer breads can be an excellent choice while adjusting to your new braces. Breakfast bread items like pancakes and muffins can be easy to eat and enjoy, while soft flour tortillas are easier to eat than hard ones. You’ll likely want to avoid toast and sandwiches with meats such as beef that are difficult to chew on there—but a tuna fish sandwich should be easy enough to enjoy!

Eggs

Fried or even hard-boiled eggs can be easy to eat with your new braces. Eggs make a great snack or breakfast option and can provide protein and vitamins and minerals to help your mouth adjust. You could even try egg salad on soft bread or scrambled eggs—there are many possibilities for this food option!

Soups

Summer and winter soups are extremely easy to eat and should contain mostly vegetables, as tough meats should be avoided those first few days with braces. Vegetable soup, vegetarian chili, chicken noodle soup, and tomato soup are all excellent options in those first days.

Adjusting to your new braces will take time, but you can adjust easily by following your orthodontist’s instructions for caring for your braces and eating softer foods. Take a trip to the grocery store either before or after you get your new braces to stock up on these items. You’ll be glad you did!

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Chronic Pain or Jaw Issues

Usually any jaw issues people have relate to the structure of the jaw. This means the problem isn’t anything you did or didn’t do—it’s just the way your unique facial structure is. However, many people suffer from jaw problems such as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), which can cause chronic pain in your jaw as well as the joints that hold your jaw in place.

As a result of a misaligned jaw, your teeth may experience uneven wear. You may not even be able to close your mouth properly. These issues are cumbersome and warrant a visit to your dentist to discuss if oral surgery is right for you. Although oral surgery is a process that will likely involve orthodontic care before or after the surgery, it can correct your jaw and help you to remain pain-free and healthy for life.

Trouble Chewing, Breathing, and Swallowing

People who suffer from TMJ and other jaw alignment issues may also experience trouble chewing and swallowing, possibly even talking or breathing. These problems can hinder your daily living and even pose medical risks. This is when the misalignment of your jaw should be evaluated by an oral surgeon to see if orthognathic surgery is right for you. Your oral surgeon can reposition the bones and correct these problems along with orthodontic care to ensure your jaw and mouth don’t give you any more problems. If you experience pain while chewing, difficulty breathing, and trouble swallowing as a result of misalignment of your teeth or jaw, your dentist can help you determine if oral surgery would help. Your symptoms may also accompany an uneven facial appearance due to your jaw structure.

Imbalanced Facial Structure

Orthognathic surgery is normally not for purely atheistic reasons, although people who experience an imbalanced facial structure often have other misalignment issues that go along with a protruding or receding jaw. People who cannot properly close their mouth may have trouble not breathing through their mouth, which can create loud breathing and even dry mouth. Oral surgery can improve your appearance dramatically, but remember that this procedure is designed to correct the symptoms of your jaw or teeth misalignment. The improvement of your appearance will be a welcome result of the surgery along with the alleviation of your symptoms.

Talk with your dentist if oral surgery could be an option for you if you suffer from TMJ, chronic jaw pain, have problems chewing and speaking, or have an uneven facial appearance. Orthognathic surgery could help alleviate your symptoms and correct your jaw, therefore bringing you a safer and stunning smile for life!

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What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?

The primary advantage of Invisalign is that it is clear. This takes away the stigma of wearing braces. It’s great for kids who are embarrassed by the idea of braces, as well as adults who may not find the idea of traditional braces to be alluring. Invisalign is an effective, nearly invisible method of straightening your smile while continuing the activities of daily life.

They are also removable. This allows the wearer to keep their teeth clean with a regular program of brushing a flossing. You don’t have to worry about food getting caught in the device because you don’t wear it during meals. That also means you can eat whatever you want (within reason – you still want to stay healthy).

Finally, the wires that are tightened are often the most uncomfortable part of braces. There are no wires to tighten with Invisalign. You actually trade out the appliance for a new one at regular intervals throughout the process. This minimizes the discomfort.

But Does It Really Work?

The short answer is yes! Is Invisalign the right choice for your needs? Your dentist will be in the best position to address your specific needs. However, there are a few factors that are required for Invisalign to be a viable option.

Self-Discipline – You have to be willing to leave them in at all times. You won’t experience the same soreness as with braces, but there will be some. If you pull the aligner out every time you feel uncomfortable, the process won’t be effective.

Circumstances – There are certain types of alignments that Invisalign is better for and others that favor traditional braces. Do your teeth need to move horizontally? Vertically? Be rotated? Do you have bridgework? Your dentist will take all of this into consideration in making a decision.

Invisalign is a great way to improve the quality of your bite and your smile without the hassle of traditional braces. Be sure to ask if this is a good option for you.

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