Some kids cannot wait to get braces. Others are a bit worried about what it will be like or how they will look. Here you learn more about braces, which straighten your teeth & make your smile even better looking.
Kids tooth
Lots of kids do not have perfect teeth, so do not worry if yours are not straight. Take a look at most of your classmates. Many of them probably do not have straight teeth either. Sometimes teeth just do not grow in evenly.
Your teeth might be crooked, or your upper & lower jaws might not match. If your upper jaw is bigger than your lower jaw, then it is a matter of an overbite. If your lower jaw is bigger than your upper jaw, you have an underbite. Either way it’s called malocclusion, a word that means badbite. Your dentist might notice one of these problems during a regular visit & recommend that you see an orthodontist. This person can determine whether you need braces.
Different types of kid’s braces
If your parents had braces, you may have seen pictures of them with their mouths full of metal. But today, braces are much less noticeable. Although metal braces are still used, you might be able to get clear braces or braces that are the same color as your teeth. Some braces go behind your teeth where no one can see them.
The wires that are used in kid’s braces today are also smaller & better than they used to be, & they are made of a space-age material that straightens your teeth faster & easier. The rubber bands that go along with braces come in funky colors now, too. So you could have black & orange ones for Halloween!
How kid’s braces functions
Braces straighten teeth by putting constant pressure on your teeth & by staying in place for a certain a certain period of time. Most kids just need regular braces with wires & rubber bands that perform their functions by exerting pressure on the teeth. In a brace the wires help to move your teeth, & the rubber bands help to correct the alignment which is the way your teeth line up.
If your teeth need a little extra help, you may have to wear neckgear with wires attached to your teeth. Don’t worry. You probably will only have to wear it while you sleep or when you are at home in the evening.
Kid’s braces act as magnet to sweetmeats. You need to keep your teeth clean while you have them on. You will want to brush after meals & be extra careful to get out any food that gets stuck in your braces. If you ever have a loose wire or a wire that is pushing you, you should see the orthodontist right away to get it taken care of.
