Orthodontic Treatment for Children: When is the Best Time to Start?

Orthodontic treatment for children is often recommended by orthodontists to prevent future dental problems and to ensure proper development of the teeth and jaws. But when is the best time to start orthodontic treatment for children?

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should have an initial orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7. This allows the orthodontist to identify any potential issues and determine the best course of action to prevent or correct them. While treatment at this age is not always necessary, it can be beneficial for children who have issues such as:

• Crowding or spacing of teeth
• Jaw growth problems
• Difficulty biting or chewing
• Thumb-sucking or other oral habits that could affect dental development
• Early or late loss of baby teeth

Early orthodontic treatment can often prevent more severe dental problems from developing later on and can help guide the growth of the teeth and jaws. In some cases, early treatment can also help reduce the amount of time a child needs to wear braces or other orthodontic appliances in the future.

While not every child will need orthodontic treatment, it's important to have an evaluation by an orthodontist to determine if treatment is necessary. If you're concerned about your child's dental development, speak with your dentist or orthodontist to schedule an evaluation. Starting orthodontic treatment at the right time can lead to a lifetime of healthy teeth and a beautiful smile.

How Orthodontic Treatment Can Improve Your Confidence

Orthodontic treatment can do more than just straighten your teeth - it can also significantly boost your confidence and self-esteem. Here are some ways that orthodontic treatment can improve your confidence:

• Improved Appearance: One of the most obvious benefits of orthodontic treatment is a straighter, more beautiful smile. This can give you the confidence to smile freely and openly, without feeling self-conscious about your teeth.
  
  
• Enhanced Oral Health: Orthodontic treatment can improve your oral health by aligning your teeth and correcting bite issues. This can help reduce the risk of dental problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and jaw pain.
  
  
• Better Speech: Crooked or misaligned teeth can sometimes affect your speech, making it difficult to enunciate certain sounds. Orthodontic treatment can help correct these issues and improve your speech, making you feel more confident when speaking in public.
  
  
• Positive Social Interactions: When you feel confident in your appearance, you may be more likely to engage in social situations and form positive relationships with others. This can lead to greater overall happiness and fulfillment.
  
  
• Professional Success: A confident, attractive smile can also have a positive impact on your professional life. Studies have shown that people with straighter, more beautiful smiles are often perceived as more competent, successful, and trustworthy.

Overall, orthodontic treatment can have a significant impact on your confidence and self-esteem. If you're unhappy with your smile or suffer from dental issues, consider speaking with an orthodontist to explore your treatment options. With a little bit of effort, you can achieve the beautiful, healthy smile you've always wanted and feel more confident in every aspect of your life.

Myths about orthodontists

 Here is the truth on some common myths about orthodontists

Myth – Any dentist can straighten my teeth.
Truth – An orthodontist is a specialist at straightening teeth with two or three years of additional training after dental school.
They usually see hundreds of orthodontic patients a year where some family dentists may see only a handful.

Myth – Only children wear braces
Truth – Around 20% of orthodontic patients are adults

Myth – You only need to see an orthodontist for very complex cases.
Truth – Orthodontists have wide experience and deal with all types of orthodontic issue. However, their wide experience means they know exactly what to do in the most complex cases.

Myth – Seeing an orthodontist is more expensive than going to a general dentists for orthodontic treatment.
Truth – They are usually doing different work. An orthodontist offers value as an expert, highly experienced professional with specific training in this field.

Myth – Braces are painful and take years to work
Fact – Like a new pair of shoes, braces are perfectly comfortable after an initial ‘breaking in’ or adjustment period. Braces can get results after just a few months.

Myth – Braces are ugly and embarrassing in business settings.
Truth – Today braces can be made from clear plastic and can be nearly invisible. They can also be mounted on the back side of the teeth so that they are not visible.

Mothers Like Braces Better

 The vast majority of modern mothers believe braces today are much cooler than when they were young.

In a study for the American Association of Orthodontists, 86 percent of mothers said braces are cooler today than when they were kids and 69% said wearing braces makes their children feel cool.

The vast majority – 81 percent – said their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment was either positive or extremely positive.

One of the factors making braces better today is the range of different color options available so that children can choose the look they want.

This makes the kids feel better about their orthodontic treatment.

Even though the mothers feel braces are cooler today, most – 78 percent – of those who had braces theselves as a child feel it was a great investment by their parents.

Most feel comfortable about visits to the orthodontist and 81 percent rated their child’s experience of visiting the orthodontist as positive or extremely positive.

Entertaining video games and music help children enjoy their visits to the orthodontist while computer software that predicts how they will look after treatment keeps them motivated.

Five ways an orthodontist could help you and your children

 Orthodontists are specially-trained dentists who can give you a better smile.

They do this by bringing the teeth, jaw bones and facial profile into proper alignment.

Here are five ways they could help you or your family:

• Straightening your teeth to cut the risk of decay and gum disease
• Enhancing your appearance to boost your self-esteem
• Correcting protruding or misaligned teeth to get rid of speech problems
• Treating jaw joint difficulties known as TMJ
• Correcting jaw problems

An orthodontist will give you a full oral examination looking not just at the teeth but also at surrounding structures, jaw joints, facial aesthetics, muscular functions and speech patterns.

There are several options after this examination.

Sometimes – for example in younger children – it is too soon to do anything so they might advise coming back in a few months.

As the majority of a child’s facial growth happens before age 10, early treatment can deliver results without needing to have teeth extracted and may mean less time with braces.

When most of the adult teeth have erupted, it is possible to re-align the teeth into the desired position.

Although you get the best results by going to see an orthodontist as early as possible they can help people of any age.

Why Straighten Your Teeth?

 If you don’t have straight teeth, you might wonder if you need to do anything about it.

Straight teeth have psychological and physiological benefits.

Straight teeth can help you bite, chew and speak better. They also contribute to healthy teeth and gums.

Properly aligned teeth and jaws may also alleviate or prevent physical health problems.

Having straight teeth enhances your smile and makes you look better.

An attractive smile enhances your self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image.

Orthodontic treatment can improve your appearance by bringing teeth, lips and face into proportion.

It can therefore be a step towards greater social and career success and can help you enjoy life more.

Straight teeth therefore work better and make you look better.

People with beautiful smiles therefore have a lot to be happy about.

Common Questions About Orthodontics

How does orthodontics work?
The job of an orthodontist is to help fix crooked teeth and jaw problems so that your teeth are in the right place in your mouth.

This may require the orthodontist to take action that helps stretch your jaw or move your teeth so that everything fits properly.

One action they can take is using tools such as braces to push on your teeth so they move into the right place.

If your top jaw is too small, they may install an expander to make it grow wider. Your jaw can be stretched or widened or moved to change its shape.

There are various other steps they can take to move your teeth or expand your jaw so that your teeth all fit comfortably and correctly in your mouth.

At what age should I start orthodontic treatment?
You can get orthodontic treatment at any age from toddlers to old age. The best and least painful time for orthodontic treatment is usually when you are between about 8 to 14.

Between 8 and 9 is usually when the jaw is growing fastest and so is the best time to reshape your mouth.

Permanent teeth usually come in between age 12 or 14 and that is the best time to start full orthodontic treatment.

What happens if I wait until I am older for orthodontic treatment?
You can get braces at any age but as you get older the treatment takes longer and may hurt a bit more. Nevertheless the benefits are still significant.

Your Questions Answered About Braces

Here are the answers to five common questions about the implications of having braces.

Does having braces affect the way I talk?
Standard braces don’t normally affect how you talk or the sound of your voice. Sometimes, you may find it difficult for the first couple of days but then you will be able to talk fine.

Are there any activities that I should avoid when I have braces?
You can continue to do most things such as enjoying sports and playing musical instruments. For some sports, you should wear an orthodontic mouth guard. It is also best to avoid activities where you could suffer a lot of blows to your mouth such as boxing or karate.

Does having braces affect what I eat?
You can continue to eat most foods when you wear braces. In the first few days, you would probably be advised to stick to softer foods.

After that, you may need to be careful with hard or sticky foods like caramel and some nuts. You want to make sure the food does not stick on your braces or pull them off your teeth.

In addition, chewing gum is usually not recommended. Some sugar free gums have been reported as causing less problems but talk to your orthodontist if you want to be able to chew gum.

Can the braces come off?
This can happen and it is usually not a major problem. Your orthodontist will attach them again. If it happens a lot, some larger adjustments may be needed.

What happens if a piece comes off and I swallow it?
This is quite rare but it is usually not a major problem. Any parts that you swallow should just pass through your digestive system.

Why Modern Teenagers Need Braces

Many teenagers wonder why they need to wear braces.

Is it all about cosmetics or is there something more important?

Back in the days of the cave men, teenagers were only two or three feet tall.

But over the last 10,000 years, people have got bigger. While our mouths have got a little bigger, our teeth got a lot bigger.

As a result, teeth no longer fit correctly into most people’s mouths.

While improving your smile is a great reason for getting braces, there are more important problems that can arise if you don’t deal with crooked teeth.

Digestion Problems: If your teeth are not straight, you will not be able to chew your food correctly and this can lead to stomach problems

Dental Problems: If you don’t deal with crooked teeth early on, your teeth will be hard to clean, and you will face gum problems and greater wear on your teeth.

Breathing problem: As you get older the roof of your mouth can sometimes partially block the air passages in your nose making you snore loudly. The risk of this can be reduced by having braces.

Truth is about 70% of teenagers need braces and therefore having braces will not make you feel different to most of your friends.

Why Adult Orthodontist Treatment is Different

One reason orthodontic treatment for adults is different is that, when you are older, it is harder to enlarge your mouth to get all of your teeth to fit.

When you are growing, your jaw is more flexible and the orthodontist can stretch your mouth so everything fits.

However, after you finish growing, your jaw hardens and it becomes difficult for an orthodontist to stretch it.

While you can have your jaw enlarged surgically, most adults opt to have their teeth straightened without this step.

This may mean you need to have some teeth removed to make everything fit. This may not have been necessary if the treatment had been done when you were still growing.

However, there are many benefits in having orthodontic treatment at any age.

In adult life, it can help your digestion and your general health as well as preventing dental problems.

The main difference is that orthodontic treatment when you are older can be a bit slower and even slightly more painful than for younger patients.

Why Orthodontic Treatment Does Not Work for All Adults

While a surprising number of adults benefit from orthodontic treatment, not all adults can take advantage.

It can depend on how well you have looked after your teeth and gums.

For example, gums may have receded so much that orthodontic treatment is not an option or roots may be very shallow if they have not been cared for properly.

Although the state of your mouth may mean that orthodontic treatment is not possible, the benefits of it can apply at any age and it is always worth checking the situation out with an orthodontist.

All orthodontists are trained how to treat adult patients but some specialize in this area.

An experienced orthodontist will know that adult treatment can take longer and may need to be more gentle than treatment earlier in life when someone is still growing.

Orthodontic services can be provided by any licensed dentist trained in orthodontics though most treatment is done by orthodontists.

A dentist must complete 2-3 years of additional training to earn a special qualification in orthodontics.

Advantages of Adult Orthodontics

While many people think orthodontic treatment such as braces is mainly for children, it can help your health at any age.

Crooked teeth are harder to clean and the wear will be uneven. This can lead to inflamed gums and toothache which may even lead to you losing teeth.

Orthodontic treatment can therefore help prevent gum problems and tooth loss.

Another health benefit of having your teeth working effectively is that chewing is an important part of digestion. When you are not able to chew food properly, the rest of the digestive system has to work harder.

An important benefit of orthodontic treatment is therefore that in can help solve and prevent digestion problems.

Orthodontic treatment in adults is similar to teenage treatment although it normally takes a bit longer.

The healing process takes a bit longer as you get older so the orthodontist will need to move your teeth more slowly for example.

The Process of Getting Braces

If your doctor or orthodontist believes you need braces, they will start by examining your teeth visually.

They will then set up an appointment to take X-rays and make molds and impressions so that they have a clear record of how your mouth currently looks.

These records will help them establish the problem and what course of action to take.

A short time before you receive the braces, spacers are added into your mouth to make sure there is enough space for the bands.

An adhesive will be applied to the teeth to help the cement bond to the surface of the tooth.

In most cases the teeth will be banded and then brackets will be added.

The bracket will be applied with dental cement and light may be used and to help harden it. This may takes a few seconds for each tooth.

Molar bands may be needed to ensure the brackets stay in place.

Bands may also be needed if previous dental treatment such as fillings cause problems with attaching the bracket.

Once the brackets have been added, an archwire is threaded between them. This is fixed in place by ligatures, which may be elastic or metal.

Archwires are tightened frequently to help deliver the results required.

Brackets and or hooks may be added to the archwire for affixing the elastic.

Braces often use nickel-titanium archwires and temperature-sensitive materials. The archwire is flexible when cold and, when it is heated to body temperature, it stiffens and tries to retain its shape so this creates constant light pressure on the teeth.

There are now many different types of braces and the exact procedure may vary depending on the specific option you choose.

The Future of Orthodontics and Braces

While steps have been taken to straighten teeth for hundreds of years, the biggest steps forward have come in the last few years.

Dentists had known for many years that removable plastic appliances could move teeth.

Some even made simple plastic “aligner trays” for minor adjustments.

But a major step forward was the invention of Invisalign.

This was the brainchild of Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth, graduate students in Stanford University’s MBA program.

Wirth had traditional braces in high school and Chishti had adult treatment with traditional braces and now wore a clear plastic retainer.

Chishti noticed that if he didn’t wear his retainer for a few days, his teeth shifted slightly – but that the plastic retainer soon moved his teeth back to the desired position.

In 1997, using 3-D computer imaging graphics, they created the Invisalign method.

The dental profession – perhaps understandably – was initially skeptical because of their lack of professional dental training.

But, when Invisalign braces became available to the public in 2000, they proved extremely popular with patients.

Technology continues to push forward the science of orthodontics and techniques such as digital computer imaging are being used to make orthodontic treatment more precise.

For example, one system takes a detailed 3-D model of a patient’s teeth to help the orthodontist develop a precise treatment plan for tooth movement.

As companies develop more precise, high-tech materials and methods, orthodontic treatment will become easier, faster and more comfortable.

The Introduction of Self-ligating Brackets for Braces

A significant development in the field of orthodontics was the introduction of self-ligating brackets.

These don’t need tie wires or elastic ligatures to hold the arch wire onto the bracket of the braces.

Instead, they are held on by a “trap door” built into each bracket.

The idea of self-ligating brackets dates back to the 1930s but, while many designs were patented over the years, it was not until the 1070s that a system was widely available.

During the 1980s and 1990s, many companies improved upon the idea in various ways and there is now a range of self-ligating options.

Another significant development in the 1970s was the Ortho-Tain appliances, which guide jaw growth and help correct orthodontic problems and malocclusions.

They look just like custom plastic mouthguards, and are worn mainly at night, or for only a few hours each day. Nevertheless, they still help address many types of orthodontic problems.

Around 1975, two orthodontists working independently developed systems which placed braces on the inside surfaces of the teeth.

These “lingual braces” offered people the benefits of bonded brackets with the big advantage that they were on the inside of the teeth.

This meant nobody else could see them and they became known as “invisible braces”

The Development of Braces and The First Metal Mouths

In the early 20th century, a wide variety of materials was used in orthodontics.

The materials used by orthodontists ranged from gold, platinum and silver to gum rubber, vulcanite, ivory and wood.

18 carat gold was routinely used for wires, bands, clasps, ligatures, and spurs.

Gold was used because it was easy to shape.

However, among the drawbacks of gold was that its softness meant it required frequent adjustments.

And, of course, it was very expensive.

However, the original “metal mouth” was often real gold or silver.

Around the time the first dental specialty board – the American Board of Orthodontics – was set up in 1929, stainless steel was becoming widely available.

However using it in braces was controversial and it was not generally accepted as a material for orthodontic treatment until the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Braces continued to wrap around the teeth until the mid 1970s, when direct bonding became a reality.

Although the bonded bracket was invented earlier, the adhesive wasn’t perfected until almost a decade later.

Like any new approach, it took some time to catch on and many people continued wearing the old “wrap around” metal braces into the late 1970s.

The Development of Orthodontics

Though various devices have been used to straighten teeth since the days of the Ancients Greeks and Romans, it was only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that orthodontics began to develop as separate science.

There is no one person who is universally seen as “The Father of Orthodontics” but several have a claim to the title.

One claim goes as far back as, 1728 when the French surgeon Pierre Fauchard published his book “The Surgeon Dentist”, which included a whole chapter on ways to straighten teeth.

This certainly gave orthodontics a huge push forward – although that term was actually coined in 1841 by Joachim Lafoulon.

But the science was not really put on the map until more than 100 years later.

First, dentist and writer Norman W. Kingsley wrote the first article on orthodontics in 1858 and published his book “Treatise on Oral Deformities” in 1880.

Another major step forward was when dentist J. N. Farrar wrote “A Treatise on the Irregularities of the Teeth and Their Corrections”.

Farrar was also very good at designing brace appliances and was the first to suggest using mild force at timed intervals to move teeth.

In the early 1900s, Edward H. Angle devised a classification system for malocclusions which is still used today.

This system was a way for dentists to describe how crooked teeth were and how they fitted together.

Angle contributed significantly to the design of orthodontic appliances and founded the first college of orthodontics in 1901.

Gradually the field of orthodontics became a respected dental specialty in its own right.

Why Adults Wear Braces

Orthodontic treatment and braces are not just for kids.

It's not only children who want a better smile.

Most adults get orthodontic treatment because they know that your smile is one of your most important features.

As you get older you want to keep a smile that makes you look good rather than haggard. 

The fact is that many people did not get braces when they were young. 

That may be because their parents could not afford it at the time or that their teeth could not be fixed with the techniques then available.

Now they may have problems with their teeth and gums or perhaps they get indigestion a lot or maybe they are just unhappy with their smile. 

Now they have the money and the treatment they need is available so they are going to take advantage.

There are also many people who did have orthodontic treatment when they were younger but did not get the full benefits as they stopped wearing their retainers.

Even after wearing braces, their teeth may still be crooked. 

Now up to a quarter of orthodontic treatment is on adult patients. 

Orthodontic treatment goes slower when you are older, and it feels different. 

But people as old as 90 are getting braces. 

It's never too late to take care of yourself and have a great smile.

The Health Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontists are specially-trained dentists who can fix problem with bad bite, crooked teeth and misaligned jaws.

One of the main benefits orthodontic treatment is cosmetic - you get a great smile that makes you look and feel better.

But there are real health benefits of orthodontic treatment too:
 
You will be able to chew your food easier: Chewing is an important part of digestion. Having crooked teeth means you don't chew your food properly and could end up with indigestion and other stomach problems.

You will have fewer dental problems: As crooked teeth are hard to clean, you could have more cavities and gum disease than people who have had orthodontic treatment. When your teeth are crooked there is extra stress on your teeth, gums and jaw which can lead to problems later on.

You have less risk of breathing problems: The roof of your mouth can sometimes partially block the air passages in your nose leading to breathing problems and snoring. Orthodontic treatment can reduce this possibility.

Some recent research suggests a link between oral bacteria and cardiovascular disease, where calcium in your mouth is dissolved and deposited in your arteries. 

Orthodontics helps prevent oral infections which may have a direct effect on heart disease.

Orthodontics not only gives you a great smile, it can lead to a healthier, happier and longer life.

How Braces Enhance Your Smile

Take a look in the mirror and smile. Do you like what you see?

Your smile is one of the things people notice most about you so it's one of your most important features.

Would you feel better if you had a more appealing smile?

Well it may be possible.

Orthodontic treatment can improve your smile.

But more than that it can improve your health too.

One of the most common treatments used in orthodontics is braces. 

If you are a parent, braces can be one of your best investments in your children's future.

It's a great way of improving their lifetime health and happiness. 

Research shows that people who have had braces look better and feel better about themselves. 

They even live longer and have a statistically lower risk of heart disease.

But braces are not only for kids. 

Around 20% of orthodontic patients are over 18 and people in their 60s, 70s 80s and even older have had successful orthodontic treatment.

It could make a big difference to your life at any age.

Think about how a better smile could improve your life or those of your children.