Posted on March 1, 2021
Are you wondering whether it is time to get braces for your child? There are 4.5 million Americans wearing braces with 80 percent of those ranging in age from 6 to 18! It’s not uncommon for someone to begin wearing braces as a child. It can be challenging for a parent and their loved one to decide the right time to make this decision. Read on to learn the best time to get braces for kids!
Deciding on the best time to get braces for your child depends on a variety of factors. One of the most important things to consider is where your kid is in their physical development.
A child often begins to lose their baby teeth at age 6 and all their adult teeth will be in by the time they are 12 years old.
While those are general guidelines for a child, these are not ages that are set in stone. Before you start the process of getting braces, you need to take a look at where your child is in their development.
Don’t get braces for your child before all their adult teeth have grown in. If you do, you risk having to put your child through getting braces not once, but twice!
This will also cost you extra time and money. That’s because you will repeat the process to put braces on adult teeth that don’t grow in straight.
Getting braces can be an important milestone in a child’s life because of the impact it has on their physical appearance. Depending on your child’s particular situation, he or she may be wearing braces for a year or longer.
While the rubber bands on braces are colorful and fun, there’s also a level of upkeep that will be the responsibility of you and your child. Your child will need to spend more time brushing their teeth so that they keep their braces clean.
For example, your child will use their toothbrush and other tools to make sure that they remove any food that gets stuck in their braces. This will help them maintain the cleanliness of their teeth underneath and around each bracket.
Before you make the decision to get braces for your child, speak to him or her about how their daily routine will change some. This will help you feel more confident in your decision because you know that they understand the importance of taking care of their teeth!
It’s not unusual for your child’s educational timeline to play a part in the process of getting braces. Why does where your child’s schooling matter for when they get braces?
The most simple answer is that it depends on the thoughts of a kid and their family. Sometimes, a mother or father that had braces may consider how having braces impacted their experience growing up.
For example, a parent may really want their child to avoid having braces in high school because of how a parent felt when they had braces at that age. This may be because they know their child is involved in playing lots of sports or so that their senior picture is without braces!
Today’s braces are safe for even the most active teenager but sometimes getting them early is the best decision for a child and their family. You may also consider getting Invisalign as an alternative to traditional braces!
Despite the wide popularity of braces for adults and children, you shouldn’t overlook the importance of how braces will impact your child’s self-esteem. Is your child already self-conscious about his or her physical appearance?
Straightening your child’s teeth is a great way to improve their self-confidence and make them feel better about their looks. Before your child has that perfect smile, they will need to be ready to wear braces.
Traditional braces may make your child feel uncomfortable at first, as they adjust to their new look. Although braces are only temporary, your kid may feel like they are on for much longer.
Talk to your child about how they feel about braces while going over the pros and cons of each option. This will help you both feel like you are on the same page and making the best choice!
The price of braces will vary based on an orthodontist and the specific needs of your child. Depending on your family’s financial situation, you may decide that it’s a better decision to wait a few more years to get braces.
Although braces can be expensive, you should find a reputable orthodontist that also offers affordable pricing. It’s also worth speaking to an orthodontist about setting up a payment plan. This will help you spread out the cost of your child’s braces over time.
The best orthodontist will want to find a way to help you and your family while also making sure they give you an affordable way to pay for their care. Working with an orthodontist that has a genuine interest in your child’s well-being will give your family a great experience!
The truth is that there’s no perfect age to get braces for kids. Although it’s common to have braces on during a child’s early teenage years, the decision is up to you and your family.
Before you choose to move forward with putting braces on your child’s teeth, speak to them and their orthodontist about what makes the most sense for their situation.
At Guymon Orthodontics, we are a team of professionals dedicated to serving the needs of our patients. With five locations in Idaho and more than 23 years of experience, we treat our patients like family and take a genuine interest in getting to know each one.
Contact us today to learn how we can help give you the smile you’ve always wanted!
