Effective Experiences for Bracing Your Child’s Teeth: What You Need to Know

Orthodontic treatment for children is a method of adjusting teeth, and correcting early dental issues such as buck teeth, underbite, spaced teeth, crooked teeth, etc., chosen by many parents today. Orthodontics at a young age brings many benefits, helping children eat, chew, and clean their teeth easily as well as supporting permanent teeth to grow in the right position. Below are 7 experiences of braces for children that Elite Dental suggests for parents, let’s find out!

1. Don’t miss the ‘golden’ age for braces for children

Dr. Do Quynh Nhu (specialized orthodontist at Elite Dental) said that as soon as notice any structural dental issues such as overbites, underbites, or crooked teeth, it’s important to take their children for examination and orthodontic treatment early. In particular, if braces are performed on children at the “golden” age, it is even better and more effective.

According to doctors, the “golden” time for braces for children is the tooth replacement period, from 6 to 12 years old. At this stage, the jawbone and teeth are still developing, making it easier to correct misalignments.

If parents miss this “golden” stage when the child is older, the tooth replacement and jaw development are almost complete, the orthodontic process will be more complicated and take more time. In some cases, it might even require extractions or jaw surgery.

2. Research carefully when choosing braces for children 

It’s important for parents to know that each orthodontic method has its unique characteristics and is suited to different dental conditions and treatment times. Choosing an orthodontic method for children depends not only on the condition of the teeth but also on the financial situation of the family. Therefore, if you carefully study the orthodontic methods, it will help parents know which is the right choice for their children. 

Currently, braces for children include 3 methods as follows:

Trainer Appliances

Trainer appliances are used to correct minor dental and bite issues during the early orthodontic stage (ages 3 to 15). Made from safe, bio-compatible plastic and designed to fit the shape of the teeth, gums, and lips, they are effective for mild issues. However, trainers are not suitable for severe bite problems or significant misalignments.

Traditional Braces

These use metal or ceramic brackets and wires to move teeth into the correct position. Metal braces are more affordable but less aesthetically pleasing, while ceramic braces blend better with natural teeth. Although metal braces are effective, they can be noticeable and might cause some discomfort.

Invisalign clear braces

This modern orthodontic method uses clear, custom-made aligners to gradually shift teeth into place. Invisalign is highly aesthetic, comfortable, removable for easy cleaning, and less noticeable compared to traditional braces. Although the cost is higher than the two orthodontic methods above, this is a worthy investment, so many parents choose it for their children. 

> View more: Clear Aligners: Restore Your Confident Smile with Invisible Braces

Choosing the Best Orthodontic Method for Your Child

As previously mentioned, the best orthodontic method depends on your child’s specific needs, financial considerations, and the extent of their dental misalignment. Consulting with a skilled and experienced orthodontist is crucial to determine the most suitable option

3. Ensure Orthodontic Appliances and Methods Are Prescribed by a Qualified Specialist

The use of orthodontic appliances and orthodontic methods should be prescribed by an experienced and highly qualified doctor to ensure safety and optimal results after braces.  Parents should avoid purchasing orthodontic devices online, as these can pose significant risks to their child’s oral health.

Online marketplaces and social media platforms often feature orthodontic devices at relatively low prices, sometimes just a few hundred thousand VND. However, not all devices are suitable for every child’s dental condition. If the appliance is not suitable for the teeth over time can lead to bite misalignment, and tooth misalignment, and can negatively impact chewing ability and dental aesthetics. Moreover, it is also very difficult for parents to control the quality and origin of orthodontic appliances. 

To learn more about whether it’s advisable to purchase plastic orthodontic appliances for your child, check out the video below featuring Master Dr. Nguyễn Thị Xuân Ngọc from Elite Dental.

4. Choose a Reputable Orthodontist and Clinic for Your Child

To successfully orthodontic children, ensuring a standard bite and facial aesthetics, the doctor’s skills are very important, and parents need to pay special attention. Accordingly, parents should choose a reputable dental address, and a doctor with high qualifications and expertise to develop a treatment plan suitable for the child’s teeth condition, bringing optimal treatment results. 

> View more: Pediatric Dentistry: Complete Care for Optimal Dental Development

Elite Dental – Specialized orthodontic center, accompanying parents and children on the journey of safe and effective braces

Elite Dental is a trusted orthodontic address for many ages with more than 10 years of experience in braces and more than 9 years of practicing Invisalign treatment. The orthodontists at Elite Dental are not only skilled in providing comprehensive dental treatment and completely correct tooth and jaw misalignment but also understand the psychological needs of children, helping children have a comfortable orthodontic experience. 

Furthermore, Elite Dental is a pioneer in developing jaw growth prediction software, helping to forecast jaw growth trends and identify abnormalities in children’s teeth and bones for timely intervention. In addition, the clinic also features a dedicated treatment area and play zone for children, creating an enjoyable environment for dental care.

> Contact Elite Dental now for detailed advice on orthodontic treatment for children and to ensure your child receives the best care possible!

5. Pay attention to oral care for children During Orthodontic Treatment 

Young children are often not aware of the need to clean and maintain good oral hygiene. Therefore, parents should guide and remind their children regularly to understand the importance of oral hygiene and help instill a habit of protecting their teeth from an early age. For example, parents can start by brushing and rinsing their teeth with their children every morning/evening, both creating excitement when brushing their teeth and instructing children on how to brush their teeth properly. 

In addition, orthodontic treatment, especially braces,  can limit the types of foods a child can eat. Therefore, parents should build a nutritious diet for their children, supplement with calcium, vitamins C and, D; and prepare soft, cut-up foods like porridge and soup while avoiding tough, hard, excessively hot, or cold foods.

6. Should help children eliminate bad habits 

During the braces process, parents should help correct any bad habits the child may have, such as mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, thumb sucking, nail biting, or removing orthodontic appliances.  Remind your child to avoid these habits to ensure effective treatment.

> View more: Oral Care: Six Mistakes You Should Avoid

7. Accompanying children on their orthodontic journey

Children are still young and need their parents to accompany and guide them on their orthodontic journey. Therefore, parents should not forget to take their children to the dentist for check-ups according to the doctor’s appointment schedule to monitor the progress of tooth movement and address any issues promptly.

In addition, parents also need to pay attention to their children’s psychology and encourage them to understand why they need braces. Because children may feel embarrassed when their teeth are different from their friends. 

Above are 7 experiences of braces for children to achieve comprehensive effectiveness in both bite and facial aesthetics that parents should not ignore.  We hope the information provided by Elite Dental helps you choose the right orthodontic method and achieve a beautiful, straight smile for your child.

Check out the video below where Mrs. Hương shares the orthodontic journey of her daughter, Phương Liên, at Elite Dental:

Related posts:
> Price List for Children’s Orthodontic Treatment at Elite
> Helpful Guidelines for Braces Users
> Braces: What You Should Know Before Deciding