Show Your Kids’ Teeth Some Love with Braces or Invisalign

February is here, which means it’s the perfect time to show the people around you how much you care. It’s also National Children’s Dental Health Month, which is the perfect opportunity to show some love to your kids’ teeth by promoting their long-term oral health. One of the best ways to promote healthy teeth is to look into orthodontic treatment for your kids.

Early Orthodontics

While the typical time to get braces or Invisalign is during middle school or high school, there are ways your kids might benefit from early orthodontics before this. It’s recommended that children first see an orthodontist at the age of seven to have their teeth evaluated. This is due to kids’ jaws are still growing and developing at this age, yet they tend to have just enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to determine the trajectory of their jaw development. This early appointment could identify problems such as severe crowding, malocclusion, excessive spacing, or problems with jaw shape or size. If needed, your child will start a two-phase treatment, with the first phase paving the way for a much easier second phase with braces or Invisalign.

In many cases, getting early intervention prevents the need for more intrusive treatments later on, such as having teeth pulled or surgery.

Braces

If your kids are older and are at the right age to get braces, bring them into the office for a consultation and see which treatment is right for them. Traditional braces are still the best option for treating the widest range of possible cases. Your kids may feel a bit apprehensive about getting braces, but they will quickly become excited about having a new smile at the end of their treatment. Additionally, getting a straighter smile with braces will set them up for better oral health in the future.

Your kids also have lots of options for having fun with their braces. They can mix and match creative styles with WildSmiles Braces or support their favorite sports team with Mascot Braces. They can even choose colored rubber bands for the holidays or to simply express their style.

Invisalign

Many kids will be able to get their ideal smile using the Invisalign Clear Aligner System. Although it still can’t treat the most challenging cases, advancements in the treatment, such as Invisalign attachments, allow more severe cases to be treated with Invisalign than ever before.

The aligners are completely clear, eliminating any reason for your kids to feel self-conscious about their appearance. They can even remove them for meals, meaning they can still enjoy all of their favorite foods while they straighten their teeth. The Invisalign Teen treatment features ways to ensure your kids are wearing their aligners long enough each day and comes with six free replacement aligners in case anything goes wrong.

Contact Crescent Orthodontic Specialists today to learn more about great orthodontic treatment options for kids and to schedule your free initial exam.