Does my child need braces?

As children grow, their teeth and overall dental development go through plenty of significant changes. As such, wondering whether your child needs braces or not is something plenty of parents and carers will experience.

You might notice that their permanent teeth are growing in a misaligned way, or that their bite isn’t as straight as it could or should be. The child might feel self-conscious of their smile, or experience some discomfort, pain or difficulty with cleaning due to crooked teeth.

All of these issues are treatable with orthodontic procedures and braces, and there are plenty of potential options to discuss and explore with your dentist or orthodontist.

Why should my child get braces?

Braces for children and teens have come a long way over the past few decades. The results they can produce can be genuinely transformative – not just to a child’s oral health and dental alignment, but to their confidence and overall well-being, too.

At Smiles, we work with young people every day, straightening their smiles and improving overall oral health. Our dentists and hygienists have the skills, experience and expertise to select the right orthodontic journey for your child, ensuring the best results that bring about real differences.

It’s normal to have lots of questions surrounding the safety, comfort levels and effectiveness of braces for your child – not least because there are so many options and approaches available nowadays. Let’s take a closer look at the most common questions surrounding braces and aligners for teens and children, and identify some of the most common signs that your child needs braces.

How do I know if my child needs braces?

There are many reasons why your dentist might recommend braces for your child. The majority of the time, this will be because of how your child’s permanent teeth have grown. Crooked teeth patterns, visible gaps, overcrowding and misaligned bites are very common, and can cause difficulty with brushing as well as issues with self-esteem.

It’s important to remember that before any orthodontic treatment can take place, your child’s teeth and gums need to be healthy. Your child’s dentist or dental hygienist may need to treat issues like gum disease and tooth decay – or insist on improvements to their oral health routine – before going ahead with any orthodontic treatment.

Here are some of the most common alignment issues seen in children and teens, all of which may require attention and treatment:
• Overbites, underbites and crossbites. When the teeth on the upper and lower jaw don’t align correctly, this can cause premature tooth wearing and a lack of confidence in smiling.
• Their top and bottom front teeth don’t touch. This is known as an ‘open bite’ – an alignment issue that can make it hard for your child to chew their food. It can also lead to speech issues and self-esteem problems.
• Crowded and crooked teeth. This is probably the most common reason for orthodontic treatments, and crooked teeth are generally caused by permanent teeth erupting in a jaw that hasn’t fully developed yet. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease (as crooked teeth are difficult to clean), as well as issues with confidence.
• Too much space between the teeth. Essentially the opposite of crowded teeth, having gaps can still cause issues with dental hygiene and confidence in your child’s smile.

The above aren’t the only reasons your teen or child might need braces. Other reasons include:
• Boosting their oral health. Weakened teeth (a common result of misaligned bites or malocclusions) can cause poor oral health. Braces will reduce the stress placed on certain teeth or parts of the mouth, bringing improvements to their oral health.
• Decreased likelihood of gum disease and tooth decay. Crowded teeth can be tricky to brush – teeth that overlap can cause a build-up of bacteria that causes tooth decay and gum disease. Conversely, straighter teeth are easier to clean and have fewer issues in the long term.
• Difficulty chewing and jaw pain. Some orthodontic issues aren’t as visible as others. Jaw pain and problems with chewing can be corrected by an orthodontist, too.
• Speech issues and impediments. Teeth that have developed incorrectly can cause speech to be impacted, especially if the teeth lean too far backwards or forwards. A speech therapist may be required for more severe issues, but orthodontics has been proven to bring improvements to communication.
• Self-esteem. A healthy or straight smile can really make a difference to your child’s confidence, especially during adolescence and early adulthood. Braces for children are one of the simplest and most enduring ways to improve their self-esteem.

Not sure if your child needs braces? Need advice on any of the above issues? Speak to a member of your Smiles team and get your questions answered by an expert. They’ll be able to talk you through all the options regarding your child’s teeth, and help you make an informed decision on next steps.

What is the best age to get braces?

There’s no cut-and-dried answer to this question, as all children are different and develop in different ways. Knowing when is best for your child or teen to get braces mostly comes down to when they have enough permanent teeth. For most children, this happens between the ages of 11 and 14, but for others, it could be younger or older.

Orthodontic treatments require the shifting of permanent teeth into new positions. As such, it’s best to wait for your child to develop as many permanent teeth as possible. Aligners and braces generally aren’t suitable for children whose teeth are still erupting or those who still have a lot of milk teeth. This can cause unpredictable results, and may require further correction as they get older.

Another common question is how long braces need to be worn for. In teenage years, image and confidence take on a whole new significance – so many teens are keen to get their orthodontic journey over with as quickly as possible.

Again, there’s no straightforward answer here. Some children get straighter teeth in as little as six months, and others need a year or more to achieve the desired results.

At Smiles, we believe in doing things properly. Your Smiles practitioner will keep you and your child informed regarding the progress of their treatment. They’ll also ensure quality aftercare, which most likely requires the wearing of retainers after the braces are removed.

Which are the best braces for children and teens?

Thanks to advances across dentistry, there are more options for teeth straightening than ever before. Our Smiles dentists will be happy to guide you and your child through the available teeth straightening options, keeping your child’s needs, your budget and their overall oral health in mind.

The principal types of braces for children are:

Fixed metal braces.

The most recognisable form of braces, these consist of wires attached to metal brackets bonded to the outside of the teeth. They’re the most common choice for teenagers across the Republic of Ireland.

Fixed ceramic braces

Sometimes referred to as ‘clear braces’, these are made of clear brackets bonded to the outer surface of the teeth, linked by tooth-coloured wires to reduce visibility. A discreet option, they’re popular with children and teens looking for an effective yet less-noticeable alternative to metal braces.

Lingual braces

Also known as ‘hidden braces’, these feature brackets bonded to the inside of the teeth. They’re a far more discreet option, but work in much the same way as other types of braces.

Invisalign braces

Using a series of custom-made transparent aligners, Invisalign aligners gradually straighten the teeth over time. They can be removed easily during mealtimes or when brushing, and are increasingly popular with teens who want a discreet teeth-straightening solution.

Smiles: expert teeth straightening for teens in ROI

At Smiles, we strive to bring straighter, more confident and healthier teeth to all patients of all ages. With practices across the Republic of Ireland, our team will be happy to ensure your child or teenager gets care and results that speak for themselves.

Want to find out more? Request an orthodontic treatment quote today, and see what Smiles can do for you and your child.

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