When It's Time for Your Children to Get Braces

All you want is the best for your child. That is especially true when it comes to their health. And you’ll do whatever you need to do to help them acquire straighter, healthier teeth. Braces are a traditional treatment for children with crooked teeth, so knowing when they require them is essential to successful treatment.

At Duval Orthodontics, we specialize in braces for children whose teeth aren’t straight. Dr. J.A. Duval is our skilled orthodontist who offers a clear timeline of when your child needs braces, and how long they’ll need to be on to ensure a straight and healthy smile.

What are braces?

We aren’t all born with the genetics that gives us straight teeth. Sometimes, children end up with crooked teeth, which not only affects their ability to chew and talk but can also hurt their self-esteem. Braces are a treatment that can help by gently aligning your child’s teeth over time.

They work by using brackets attached to your child’s teeth, along with wires and bands. This system puts constant but very gentle pressure on the teeth, eventually pulling them together and eliminating gaps between their teeth.

Braces come in a variety of colors, making them fun for your child while still serving their purpose of aligning their teeth.

Why are braces necessary?

The most obvious reason your child needs braces is because of misaligned teeth. However, braces can also correct other problems in your child’s mouth, including:

• Jaw alignment problems
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Overcrowded teeth
• Gaps between teeth

Clearly, braces do much more than just correct your child’s smile — they also have many other added benefits. Having properly aligned teeth isn’t just good for cosmetic reasons, it also provides the added benefit of:

• Overall confidence
• Easier to clean teeth
• Improved speech
• Reduced wear-and-tear

Opting for orthodontics aid in the prevention of tooth decay and cavities. 

What to expect with treatment

So, when should you begin thinking about braces for your child? Dr. Duval suggests having a consultation when your child is about the age of seven. That is because most of their baby teeth will have fallen out, and their jaw is not yet fully grown. Because your child is still growing, it allows Dr. Duval more flexibility in treating their condition.

The earlier your child begins orthodontic treatment, the better their overall outcome. It allows for the prevention of problems such as overcrowding of adult teeth or jaw symmetry issues. Earlier treatment also cuts down on the amount of time your child will have to wear braces. 

At your initial appointment with Dr. Duval, he’ll take an impression of your child’s teeth to begin a treatment plan. He then attaches the brackets to their teeth using dental cement. A wire is then threaded through the brackets to put gentle pressure on your child’s teeth. Bands are also applied after the wire. 

Braces can take anywhere from months to years to fully straighten your child’s teeth. The time depends on the severity of the problem being addressed. During this time, your child will have regular appointments with Dr. Duval to tighten the wire. 

If your child’s smile is less than perfect, and you think braces can help, call our office at one of our two convenient locations in Albany and Warner Robins, Georgia to schedule a consultation. You can also book an appointment using our online booking tool.