Braces for Kids
Braces for Kids
At Juni Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we’re passionate about giving kids, teens, and adults the confidence that comes from a healthy, beautiful smile. Whether your kiddo needs early orthodontic guidance or you have a concern about their smile, our friendly San Diego team is here to make the journey comfortable, fun, and effective.
Building Confident Smiles
There is no greater gift than seeing your child’s confident smile. Unfortunately, many children are self-conscious and even scared to show their teeth. Many people think orthodontic work should wait until adolescence, but orthodontists actually recommend bringing your child to a San Diego orthodontist by age 7 for their first free exam. Around this age, children have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth, making it the ideal time for early orthodontic intervention.
Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment in San Diego
In addition to leaving patients with beautifully straight teeth, children’s braces function to fix many other orthodontic issues that most parents overlook. Braces align the teeth and jaw, so the way we chew, breathe, and speak does not cause discomfort. San Diego pediatric orthodontists are able to predict these kinds of problems early on in a child’s life based on how the teeth and jaw are developing. Starting orthodontic treatment at an early age has shown much quicker and more effective results rather than waiting until the teenage years.
When you bring your child to Juni Smiles, your trusted San Diego kids orthodontist will conduct a comprehensive oral examination and take X-rays of the maxillofacial area. This advanced diagnostic approach helps us determine if your child is likely to experience overcrowding or bite misalignment as their teeth and jaw continue to develop. If we identify any potential orthodontic problems, we will explain your treatment options and provide plenty of time to answer all your questions about children’s orthodontic care in San Diego. If your child does not require immediate intervention, we may recommend periodic check-ups to monitor their dental development.
Advantages of Early Orthodontic Care
Early orthodontic evaluations provide your child with the optimal foundation for achieving a beautiful, healthy smile. Pediatric orthodontic care typically unfolds through two distinct treatment phases.
Read on to learn more about the phases of treatment.
Phase 1 Orthodontic Care
Young patients with both primary and adult teeth present are excellent candidates for initial orthodontic intervention. This early approach allows our orthodontic team to address developing issues before your child’s dental structure becomes fully established. Our specialists will identify the most effective treatments to resolve emerging problems prior to implementing comprehensive orthodontic care.
This initial phase also facilitates proper positioning of permanent teeth as they naturally emerge and develop. Since children’s jaw structures remain flexible and don’t begin hardening until adolescence, orthodontic interventions during this period often yield more rapid and effective results due to the adaptable nature of growing bone tissue.
Phase 2 Orthodontic Care
Following the completion of initial treatment (typically occurring between ages seven and ten) and a monitoring period, patients requiring additional correction proceed to Phase 2 care. This comprehensive phase focuses on precise tooth alignment utilizing various orthodontic appliances including braces designed specifically for children, retention devices, and palatal expansion equipment. Additional procedures such as addressing missing teeth or repositioning improperly placed teeth may also be incorporated during this treatment stage.
The duration of Phase 2 orthodontic care typically ranges from 12 to 20 months, though actual treatment length varies based on the complexity and extent of the orthodontic concerns requiring correction.
Living with Braces: A Guide for San Diego Families
Getting braces generally does not cause significant changes to a child’s daily routine. While braces are not painful, children may experience some mild soreness after adjustments at our San Diego orthodontic office. This temporary discomfort can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and eating soft foods for a day or two following your appointment. Sometimes, friction between the brackets and inner gums can cause minor irritation, which we recommend treating with orthodontic wax. This safe, non-toxic wax covers brackets to create a smooth surface that won’t bother your child.
Eating
After you first receive braces from Juni Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, you may find that chewing is more difficult as your mouth gets used to having brackets and wires. This is normal, and we suggest that you eat soft foods as your mouth adjusts to the change. Although you will eventually be able to eat food normally again, you will still need to take steps to prevent it from dislodging your braces. We suggest cutting your food into smaller pieces.
There are also several different types of foods you should avoid eating while undergoing a straightening treatment, including hard and sticky foods. Avoid hard foods like corn nuts, uncut apples, ice, hard bread, uncut carrots, hard pretzels, nuts, beef jerky and crunchy chips because these foods can break your braces. Also, avoid sticky foods that work up in your braces and pull them off. Some of the sticky foods to avoid include caramel, taffy, gummy bears, chewing gum, tootsie rolls and other sticky candies.
Brushing
Though braces will give you a straighter, healthier smile, they are also more likely to trap the food and bacteria that cause tooth decay and enamel stains. This means that keeping good oral hygiene becomes more important than ever during a straightening treatment. Remember to brush twice a day for at least two minutes each time and floss once a day. We will teach you how to brush and floss your teeth correctly while wearing braces, so you can maintain the health of your smile.
Regular Dental Checkups
Even if you practice excellent oral hygiene while wearing braces, it is still important to receive a professional cleaning from a dentist in order to prevent oral health problems from developing in your mouth during a straightening treatment. Call our office if you want us to recommend good dental practices in the area.
Braces Hygiene
It is important to keep your braces and teeth healthy during orthodontic treatment, which is why Juni Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics provides comprehensive braces hygiene instructions. After our orthodontic team teaches you how to properly brush and floss your teeth and braces, you can have a clean smile while it straightens. Call Juni Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics today if you want to learn more about braces hygiene.
While you are wearing braces (as at any time), it is essential that you maintain good oral hygiene. Proper oral hygiene may be a bit more difficult with braces, but it is important that you take good care of your smile so you can prevent dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and demineralization. If left untreated, these problems can cause more serious oral health issues and even prolong your orthodontic treatment.
To keep your smile healthy while you have braces, our team encourages you to follow these guidelines:
- Brush your teeth at least three times every day. Brush after every meal, and if you eat a sugary snack in between meals, it is best to brush again.
- Use an interproximal brush to help clean around the brackets and wires. It can help to clean spots that your toothbrush might have a hard time reaching because of your braces.
- Floss at least once every day. Using a floss threader can make it easier to thread the floss behind the wire of your braces.
- Rinse your teeth with water every time you clean your teeth. Based on your specific needs, we may also recommend a specialized rinse.
- Pay attention to the list of foods to avoid with braces. This can help to keep your smile healthy and avoid damage to your braces.
Braces Care Tips
Although we use the most modern types of braces at Juni Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, you may still experience some discomfort and problems during your straightening treatment. Our orthodontic team is happy to provide some tips on how you can care for your braces and temporarily repair orthodontic problems.
Broken or Pokey Wire
If you have a wire that breaks or sticks out in the back of your mouth, we ask that you first check this area. If it sticks far out of one of the rear brackets, then it has detached from the bracket. You can temporarily repair this problem by moving the wire back with tweezers. If both sides of the wire stick out, then apply orthodontic wax to prevent tissue irritation. If the wire causes you severe pain, then cut it with a small wire cutter and then call Juni Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics immediately so we can make a repair.
Loose Bracket or Band
A loose bracket or band can not only be uncomfortable, but it may also harm your oral tissues. You can make temporary repairs to protect your mouth by either covering the loose bracket with wax or removing the bracket and bringing it to us for reattachment. You can remove the bracket by opening the small door that holds it to the band.
General Soreness
Your teeth may feel sore when you first receive braces as your mouth adjusts to the pressure. Chewing may also become uncomfortable for a short time because your teeth feel tender. You can soothe this discomfort by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication for relief.
If you would like more information about how to maintain good oral hygiene with braces, we invite you to contact Juni Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics today. We are eager to speak with you and help you achieve your best smile!