Kids’ Braces: When to Start Looking And How to Pick a Great Orthodontist

So you think your little one may need braces? Lots of questions come up, including when you should see an orthodontist, and how to pick one. Going through the process ourselves, we have some great info & tips to share.

Recommended age for a braces consultation:

Myth: You need to wait until your child loses all of their baby teeth to consider braces.

Did you know? The recommended age to see an orthodontist for the first time is as young as 7! When their permanent teeth start coming in, this is a good time for a check. Consultations do not mean braces right away for most. However, an orthodontist will be able to tell if there are early signs of issues with the development of their mouth or jaw, their bite or with teeth crowding. In some cases, early intervention could potentially save the need for oral surgery later on or treat certain issues before they become a problem.

Some signs your child may need early braces: Early or late loss of baby teeth, mouth breathing, difficulty chewing, protruding teeth, thumb sucking beyond the age of 5, crowded teeth, spacing, uneven bite or shifting of the jaw when the mouth is closed.

If there are no immediate issues, your Orthodontist can continue to monitor your child’s teeth as they grow and recommend braces when/if they are needed.

Benefits of early consultations and early braces:

• Improves confidence – kids enjoy having a straight smile 🙂
• Can help with speech – the placement of teeth can have an effect on the way we pronounce words including slurring and speaking with a lisp.
• Can help with oral hygiene – sometimes overcrowded or crooked teeth can create more hard-to-reach areas for brushing and flossing
• Remember: unaligned jaws is one of the causes of teeth grinding, which can lead to headaches, neck pain and other discomforts

Braces can correct: spacing, over bite, under bite, crowding, jaw misalignment and more. A professional is the best to diagnose – discuss any concerns with your Orthodontist.

Choices for teeth correction:

• Traditional metal braces – wires need to be changed on a scheduled basis and are attached to metal brackets on the teeth. Elastic colors can be changed for fun occasions, or just because you enjoy the color! You just need to keep them clean and avoid foods that can bust the brackets off of your teeth (Your orthodontist will give you a list of no-no’s – sorry, this includes popcorn!) Clear braces are also an option, although metal & colored elastics is the most popular style among kids and teens right now.
• Invisalign – these are nearly invisible trays you can take out when you need to eat or drink something other than water. They need to be worn most of the day, so it is important the wearer remembers to put them back in when they are finished eating for the best possible results. Trays are switched on a scheduled basis your Orthodontist will work out for you.

Speak to your orthodontist about the options they offer and what they recommend for your (or your child’s) specific wants and needs.

Costs:

Costs will vary depending on your braces needs, length of treatment, and braces option you choose. Exact prices for your individual treatment plan will only be accurate if you have a consultation. A lot of offices will offer payment plans.

Consultations with an Orthodontist are usually free.

How to find a great Orthodontist:

• Location: find one that is convenient enough for you to get to once every 1-2 months for scheduled appointments and possible last minute needs
• Reviews: Check your Orthodontist & their clinic’s reviews! If the reviews say they have a hard time fitting patients in for braces emergencies you may want to find someone with better service and more availability
• Your consultation experience: There is nothing like intuition. Book a consultation with an Orthodontist and see how you feel about the office, the atmosphere, the demeanor of the staff and the Orthodontist. You will know if it feels like a good fit 🙂
• Availability: ask about the clinic’s process if a bracket breaks off, if the patient is in pain or needs something checked and do not have an appointment in advance. A great Orthodontist will not make you wait in pain for your next scheduled appointment – they will find a way within a reasonable amount of time to see you.

We have done our research and have decided to go with Level Orthodontics for my daughter’s needs. I am so excited to share the experience – find Edmonton Mama on Instagram to follow along with our stories about the whole braces process!

Have any tips for us for life with braces? Leave us a comment about it 🙂