Published on October 4, 2018, Updated on October 4, 2018
In modern times, getting braces has become quite the luxury. Many families even fore-go some needs in order to get their children braces. Why? Braces can do wonders for a child and a teen as they grow into adults and work to achieve success. Part of that success can come from choosing the right type of braces that fits a teen’s lifestyle, participation in sports, confidence level and the goals they have. See what braces options we have for your teen and how they benefit!
At Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we often fit children for braces. After they come in for their recommended orthodontic examination at age 7 or 8, we can detect bite and alignment issues and fix them. This can help change a child’s life, as bite and alignment issues can cause speech impediments to form or grow worse. Children without child orthodontics could also struggle with biting, chewing and eating correctly as they age. When children don’t have these orthodontic problems fixed as children, they will have to have them fixed if they want braces as a teen.
Many teens receive braces because they are in a key time in their life where they have all of their permanent teeth in their mouth (age 11 or 12), but the jaws aren’t completely firm yet. The jaws stop forming around the time that teens are ending high school and starting college. If a teen 1) has bite and alignment issues still ]or 2) has crooked teeth, this is the time they want to get them fixed. Crooked teeth can also lead to more problems with tooth decay and gum disease that worsen over time. When teeth are crooked, they are harder to brush and floss well, which leads to various oral health diseases and dental procedures to fix those diseases.
Straightening the teeth is something many teens want. Studies show that a straight smile directly affects a person’s confidence no matter if they are a child, a teen or adult. Adolescence is a prime time when teens are going through many changes, and they need all the confidence they can get. Giving them a straight smile through various braces options is something you can give them. In a study conducted by the same company that created Invisalign, they found that those who get straighter smiles end up being more confident. They smile more, are perceived as more confident by others, as well as more attractive, healthy, and successful.
In decades past, traditional metal braces were the only option that teens had to straighten their teeth. Up until the 1970s, metal braces were large and often required headgear. Now, traditional metal braces have been perfected to their simple design of brackets and wires. Metal braces are the most common braces option teens choose. However, there are other options teens have such as:
More and more teenagers are turning to Invisalign Teen for their orthodontic needs because of the benefits it gives them that metal or similar braces don’t. Metal braces can interfere with eating, speaking and maintaining clean teeth. Although it’s a great option for teens, they do have to be meticulous with their oral hygiene habits. Food can become stuck in the brackets and wires every single time a teen eats, and can decay the teeth. Patients will have to watch what they eat because of this. Also avoid sticky foods such as dried fruit, taffy, licorice, gummies, fruit snacks, caramels, and similar candies.
With some patients, the teeth can also demineralize with bracket and wire braces options, but this is also caused by a patient’s diet. If they drink carbonated or citric beverages (like soda and juice) often, the acids in those drinks will strip away minerals from the teeth. Drinks like these and foods with dyes (like berries or water enhancers) can also change the color of teeth around the brackets. It all depends on what a patient chooses to do with their diet.
Many teens and adults love Invisalign because it’s so easy. Patients can remove the aligners as-needed for regular brushing and flossing. They can take them out to eat without worrying that food will get stuck in their orthodontic appliance. This braces option isn’t a problem for contact sports either, as brackets can cut the mouth if a patient is hit in the face. Many teen patients also play instruments, which can be trickier with brackets and wires. Lingual braces helps this problem, and so does Invisalign.
If your teen wants a reduced risk for tooth decay and wants an easier time cleaning their appliance, consider Invisalign treatment. Call Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics today at (720) 887-6003 for your free consultation!