Understanding the what and why of orthodontic problems in children
Most people wear braces at some time in their lives, but knowing when your child is ready to start orthodontic treatment can be difficult for parents. Even before your child has lost their baby teeth, an orthodontist may recommend treatment to prevent issues that could develop later on such as crowding or adult teeth emerging crooked. In fact, orthodontists recommend scheduling your child’s first appointment by age seven. Early and preventative orthodontic work is an important step in avoiding lengthy and complicated treatment later in life. Especially for kids that are still in the process of gaining their adult set of teeth, a visit with one of our orthodontists can determine whether their smile journey is on the right track!
Do kids need orthodontic treatment?
By the time kids are seven years old, you should bring them in for their first consultation. Only an orthodontist can definitively tell you when your child is in need of orthodontic treatment. However, a dentist or you, as a parent, may notice some signs that it’s time for an appointment, such as:
- thumb sucking
- mouth breathing
- difficulty chewing
- gaps between teeth
- crooked or crowded teeth
- speech problems
- early or late loss of baby teeth
- overbite or underbite
Parents: if you notice these signs, don’t wait! We believe in the best orthodontic care for everyone—including your little ones. Schedule an appointment with a Hutta & Price Orthodontics doctor today to join our smile family!
Invisalign vs braces: What’s the difference?
At Hutta & Price Orthodontics, we offer a range of dental solutions, including both Invisalign and Damon Braces. Depending on your child’s individual orthodontic needs, one treatment option may be more appropriate than the other, but with proper use, any of our treatments can take your child’s smile to the next level.
Invisalign
Clear aligners like Invisalign are an innovative option to reduce minor lifestyle changes and the visibility of orthodontic treatment. Made of clear plastic, aligners like Invisalign fit over teeth in a discrete and subtle fashion. During your visit at Hutta & Price Orthodontics, one of our orthodontists will make a scan of your child’s mouth, which is sent to a lab where your aligners are custom fit for their unique dental needs. Invisalign is used to treat a range of orthodontic problems but also requires diligent care and compliance, which can determine whether it’s suitable for your child.
Braces
Braces can transform smiles just like Invisalign but consist of metal brackets fixed to each tooth and are connected by a wire. Here at Hutta & Price Orthodontics, we use Damon Braces, a self-ligating system. No need for trips to the orthodontist to tighten the wire—Damon Braces works on its own! Using a shape-memory wire, Damon Braces uses less force than traditional braces while achieving the same beautiful results.
Benefits of Invisalign for Children
One of the most alluring aspects of Invisalign is that it’s exactly as the name suggests—nearly invisible! The aligners are also easy to remove, a major oral hygiene benefit for kids. While wire braces require you to learn new cleaning techniques, your child can maintain their normal brush and floss habits while using Invisalign. And bonus—because Invisalign is removed for eating and drinking, there are no dietary restrictions either. Feel free to bring out the popcorn! Kids often find Invisalign more comfortable without the presence of brackets and wires even though the treatment is often just as effective as wire braces.
Your teen may also prefer Invisalign because it offers the reward of straight teeth without the visibility of wire braces. Lucky for you and your family, Hutta & Price Orthodontics is one of the top providers of Invisalign Teen in central Ohio. In just one short visit, Dr. Hutta and Dr. Price can get the whole family outfitted with the right treatment option!
Benefits of braces for children
Wire braces fit a wide range of treatment needs and may be a better option depending on your child’s orthodontic goals. Braces are also a more durable option, especially for younger kids. Though more noticeable than Invisalign, many kids enjoy customizing their smiles with unique color options! It’s important to note that braces still require a diligent brushing and flossing routine. With some guidance from your orthodontist and a helping hand from you, your child’s smile will be sure to shine.
An extra responsibility for kids
The convenience of Invisalign still comes with an added responsibility. In order to be effective, Invisalign must be worn 20-22 hours a day. Wearing the aligners at night is crucial and they should only be removed for eating and drinking. While Invisalign does offer diet flexibility for kids who still love to enjoy crunchy and sticky foods, Invisalign can be lost or damaged when not worn. Making a plan with your child to keep their aligners safe is a helpful step in preventing an unnecessary trip to the orthodontist for lost aligners. Keeping their Invisalign case on hand and aligners stored safely when not worn will ensure your child gets the most out of their orthodontic treatment. Additionally, in order for your child to qualify for Invisalign, they must have all their permanent teeth. For kids who require orthodontic care at an early age, braces may be a better option.
Developing a child-friendly cleaning routine
It’s important to keep your child’s Invisalign clean to protect their oral health and the longevity of their aligners. Though it may seem complicated at first, practicing three simple steps will keep cleaning easy and manageable for both you and your child. Just simply rinse, brush, and soak!
Rinse
Rinse the aligners every time they are removed, especially after eating and drinking, to remove plaque and bacteria.
Brush
Each night, gently brush the inside and outside of the aligners with a soft toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste to remove plaque and bacteria.
Soak
Soak the aligners in an Invisalign cleaning solution one to two times a week to keep them fresh and prevent bacteria from growing. This will also keep the aligners looking clear too!
Starting smiles small
The best way to ensure your child embraces the importance of orthodontic treatment is to demonstrate this yourself! Brushing morning and night, flossing regularly, and getting excited about trips to the orthodontist or dental office will motivate your child to prioritize their orthodontic journey. We understand that a trip to the orthodontist can seem overwhelming. That’s why we want to extend an extra warm welcome to our youngest patients! Upon their first visit to our office, your child will receive a special bag of goodies and a membership card for our Growin’ Grins Club, which they can use to win contests, prizes, and even attend our patient appreciation party!
Ready to join our smile family or explore treatments like braces or Invisalign? Call our office to schedule a free consultation with one of our doctors. We can’t wait to meet you!