Orthodontic Braces For Kids and Teens

Many kids and teenagers have crooked teeth, but a smile doesn’t need to be perfect to look great. With a good oral hygiene routine and braces, many kids can achieve a healthy, straight smile.

Orthodontic braces use a combination of pressure and time to slowly move your teeth into a more appropriate alignment. The pressure is applied by the archwire, which attaches to the brackets on your teeth.

The most common type of braces are the traditional metal ones, which consist of stainless steel brackets that are bonded to your tooth with resin based dental adhesive. These brackets have a slot that the arch wire fits into, with elastic ties (also called rubber bands) holding the archwire to the brackets. These elastic ligatures are changed at each adjustment appointment.

The Pros and Cons of Getting Braces as an Adult

In the past, it was a challenge for orthodontists to create fixed orthodontic appliances that could offer both a patient’s desired aesthetics and the required technical performance. Problems included speech disruption, occlusal interference that regularly caused bond breakdowns, and occasional inhibition of the normal development of molars.

Today’s orthodontic braces are smaller, lighter and more attractive than those of a generation ago, or even 15 years ago. They also tend to have a lower risk of stains and are more comfortable for patients. However, patients still need to avoid sticky or chewy foods, like whole apples, popcorn, corn on the cob, and gum, to prevent plaque build-up near the brackets. This can lead to enamel discoloration and increase the time needed for treatment.…

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