In today’s society, having perfect teeth has become a standard of beauty expected of most people. As a parent, you have the responsibility of deciding whether or not your child will get braces. In order to make that important decision, there are a couple of criteria you should look out for.
Watch for Certain Habits
According to Dental Depot, most children will exhibit signs early on that will indicate whether they need braces. These are easy for you to look for as a parent once you know what to look for. One habit that could lead to requiring braces is if your child sucks their thumb long past the first couple years of their life. If you can tell that your child has difficulty pronouncing certain words, it might be a result of poor mouth shape. For example, some speech impediments, like a lisp, can form from an over or underbite. These signs do not necessarily mean your child needs braces, but they indicate that you should talk to a professional.
Take Them to the Dentist
Once you can take your child to a licensed professional, like a dentist or orthodontist, you will have a better idea of if your child needs braces. While a dentist will assess the overall health of your child’s teeth, an orthodontist will determine the treatment plan for your child’s braces. According to Showtime Smiles, children should have a check-up with an orthodontist by the time they’re 7. The orthodontist will look at your child’s bite, alignment, and spaces between teeth. For some children, the orthodontist might decide that they can have braces right away, while other cases might wait until all their adult teeth have come in.
Cost Assessment
According to SoFi, one setback many families face when deciding if they want to get their child braces is the overall cost of the treatment. This concern grows if your family has more than one child that they need to take care of. However, many orthodontists are accustomed to this and have come up with payment plans that are beneficial to the family. Additionally, some dental insurances cover a part of the cost of braces. In general, you should think about braces as a future investment for your child instead of an immediate purchase.
Braces can play a large role in transforming your child’s smile and confidence. If you suspect your child could benefit from orthodontic treatment, make an appointment with your dentist and orthodontist as soon as possible.
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