Posted on November 1, 2022
Many children have braces. In fact, since the 1960s, the number of children who need braces has quadrupled. As a result, an estimated 4.5 million Americans, the majority of which are children, wear braces at some point in their lives. According to the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), around 80% of individuals who get braces range from 6 to 18 years of age. Read on to find out more about braces for kids.
Everyone wants a show-stopping smile. Unfortunately, not everyone is born with straight teeth. Lots of children require braces or another form of orthodontic treatment to help correct dental problems before they can become more serious issues. In fact, according to Healthline Media, an estimated 25% to 50% of children need braces. To determine whether your child needs kids braces, it’s recommended to talk to their pediatric dentist who may recommend an orthodontist appointment. Another factor to consider is that the AAO recommends all children be evaluated by an orthodontist by the age of seven.
Orthodontic treatments like kids braces are commonly used to repair existing issues or prevent bite issues from developing. Bite issues and misalignment are caused by a variety of factors. For instance, some are caused by genetics while others are the result of shifting teeth due to tooth loss or youth sports injuries or accidents. It’s recommended to fix orthodontic issues as early as possible because it’s easier to correct the teeth and jaw while children are still developing. An orthodontist will explain everything you need to know about kids braces and orthodontic treatment if treatment is necessary.
One potential oral habit that can lead to orthodontic problems is thumb sucking. Thumb-sucking is a very common behavior in children. However, if your child continues to suck their thumb when they get older, the habit can have a negative impact on their tooth development. Thumb-sucking can lead to an open bite, which is when a child’s top and bottom rows of teeth do not touch when the child is biting down. This habit can also pull at the top teeth and cause them to protrude over the bottom row of teeth. This is a condition known as an overbite, and again, it needs to be corrected using kids braces.
Braces are quite common in children. About 45% of children in the United States will need kids braces at some point in their lives. If you suspect that your child needs braces, or if they are approaching seven years of age or older and have not been evaluated by an orthodontist, contact the expert team at Orthodontics LA to schedule their complimentary consultation, today!
