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Braces for your kids – your questions, answered

There’s nothing quite like the confidence a great smile with straight teeth can give your children.

Gone are the days when braces were embarrassing or an inconvenience. Braces are now one of the most common dental treatments for kids, and in fact, according to a study by the Australian Society of Orthodontics (ASO), 70% of kids react with happiness or excitement at the news that they need braces.

As a parent, it’s normal to have a lot of questions about the treatment – like when the right age is to take you child to the dentist or how much braces will cost. Here some questions you may have, answered.

1. At what age should my child see the dentist about braces?

There’s no right or wrong age to start the process of braces, however, the earlier, the better, to prevent further damage to your children’s teeth.

Most kids commonly start getting braces between the ages of 10 and 14, however many still start the process in their late teens.

Remember, braces are really common amongst adults too – so as long as your child is young enough to begin preventative care against any further damage that crooked teeth can cause (explained more in the next dot point), you should bring your child to the dentist as soon as they feel comfortable to visit. On an interesting note, the ASO’s study also found that 94% of orthodontists have experienced parents bringing their children in for a consultation because their children actually want braces, not because their parents forced them to.

2. Should I wait until all my child’s baby teeth have fallen out to see a dentist about braces?

No, you don’t have to. It’s worth visiting your dentist as soon as you begin to notice your child has crooked teeth. Then, it’s up to your dentist to decide when to begin the braces process.

If your child is still quite young, your dentist may advise you to wait a year or so to give the baby teeth time to fall out.

However, you should know that it is possible to still have baby teeth as a mid-to-late teen (although it’s not very common). In these circumstances, your dentist may suggest pulling the teeth out to begin the straightening process right away.

3. What do braces do other than make your smile look good?

It’s very important to understand that crooked teeth are not just a cosmetic concern. They can also affect your health. Although braces are becoming more and more common amongst adults too, the health concerns regarding crooked teeth is one of the prime reason’s experts recommend correcting your teeth before you reach adulthood (even more so than making your smile look good).

Crooked teeth can cause an incorrect bite, excess wear, cracked teeth, speech difficulties, stained teeth and periodontal disease as they’re much harder to clean.

Once parents understand that braces improve, not only appearance, but health and quality of life, it’s easy to see why straightening your kid’s teeth is so important (despite cost concerns that most parents have).

4. Braces or Invisalign?

Invisalign is an almost-invisible alternative to braces. It involves wearing custom-moulded removable aligners for approximately 22 hours each day. Every two weeks your child changes to a new set of aligners until the treatment is complete.

Choosing between braces or Invisalign is highly dependent on the specific case and must be discussed with the treating dentist or orthodontist.

5. What are the costs?

The costs of both braces and Invisalign will vary from case to case. It’s best to discuss costs with your dentist or orthodontist.

Ready to bring your child to an orthodontist to begin straightening their teeth? Our dentists at Chadstone Dental are known as one of the most trusted family dentists in the area. We’re highly experienced working with kids, and we prioritise making your child feel comfortable with every dental experience.

To book an appointment, give us a call on (03) 9568 0222 or book here.