Orthodontic Treatment With Braces For Teens
It’s common for teens to worry about their appearance, and the idea of braces might not appeal to them right away. However, because they are still growing, orthodontic treatment is easier now than it would be later in life. With modern self-ligating braces, orthodontic treatment for teens at Koch Orthodontics is much more advanced than a few years ago, both in appearance and results.
Signs Of Orthodontic Issues
If concerned about the idea of braces, teens may not always voice any oral issues they experience. In contrast, some teens may develop habits to hide their smiles if they are self-conscious about certain aesthetic issues. In either case, a few months of orthodontic treatment today will mean a confident smile for years to come!
Your teenager should get an orthodontic examination if they have:
- Crooked or overlapping teeth
- Large gaps between teeth
- Missing or crowded teeth
- Noticeable overbite or underbite
- Difficulty chewing, biting, and speaking
- Gaps between the top and bottom teeth while biting
How Does Orthodontic Treatment For Teens Help?
Timely orthodontic treatment for teenagers can help by:
- Developing self-esteem and confidence in their appearance
- Regulating upper and lower arch width for an even smile
- Straightening and aligning permanent teeth
- Preventing depression, anxiety, and discomfort in social situations
- Guiding jaw development for facial symmetry
- Correcting unsightly overbites and underbites
- Reducing the risk of tooth decay and extractions later
- Preventing trauma or damage to protruding front teeth
- Improving speech problems caused by alignment or bite issues
Life With Braces
While they do require some routine adjustments, braces are not meant to disrupt your lifestyle! Some soreness is common when you first get your braces and after adjustment appointments. This discomfort can be alleviated with a pain reducer and eating soft foods for a day or two after visiting the orthodontist. Sometimes, friction between the brackets and the inner gums can lead to tenderness, which we recommend treating with dental wax provided by our team.
One important lifestyle change to keep in mind is the types of foods you eat with your braces. Hard, sticky, or foods that are tough to bite into can loosen or damage parts of your braces, causing discomfort or potentially requiring additional appointments for appliance repairs. We’ll provide you with detailed recommendations on what foods to eat and others to avoid when you first get your braces.
When you have braces, it’s also important to keep up a top-notch oral hygiene routine. It is imperative that you brush at least twice a day and use a flosser to clean in between your teeth and brackets. The tiny nooks around your braces act as a magnet for plaque and buildup, making it paramount to keep up good dental hygiene during treatment. Doing so will ensure that you will not only have straighter teeth by the end of treatment but healthy ones, too!