Are Braces Necessary for Me or my Kids?

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All of us remember THAT kid in school with the big braces, or perhaps you were that kid…and suffered taunts like “metal mouth!” Braces come with a lot of negative feelings for many people – the look, the discomfort, the expense, and so on. However, things have changed, and there are now braces available that are much less obtrusive and much easier and more comfortable to wear.

In recent times, it’s become quite usual to see adults with braces. You might be asking yourself why an adult would voluntarily get braces if they’d managed to avoid it in childhood, so let’s have a look at the reasons why both children and adults may need braces.

Braces for children

Children’s jawbones don’t typically begin to harden until they’re in their late teens. If there are problems with their teeth, it can be beneficial to get them assessed while they’re still young enough for the bones to be soft, and more malleable. According to the Australian Society of Orthodontists, factors that may indicate the need for orthodontic treatment include:

• • If they lose their baby teeth before they’re five.
• • If their teeth don’t meet properly when they bite down.
• • If they mouth breathe and/or snore a lot.
• • If their front teeth are crowded – which you won’t typically see until they’re around seven or eight.
• • If they have protruding front teeth.
• • If they have a speech impediment.
• • If you can see that their jaw moves when they close their mouth.
• • If they’re still sucking their thumb post five years of age.

Getting your child’s teeth assessed at an early age can mean that you may be able to correct an issue before it causes significant problems. The later it is left, the more there can be to correct, which can both prolong treatment and cost more.