At Bridge City Braces, we pride ourselves on treating every patient who walks through our doors with the same care and attention we would give our own family members. Our team has a passion for creating beautiful smiles that last a lifetime, and we feel honored to help our younger patients achieve improved oral health and aesthetics through braces. We understand that your little one is always on the move and getting into something new, and that’s why they can benefit from the durability and efficiency of a corrective treatment like braces.
We want to break the cycle of anxiety that children have when they come in for appointments by making their orthodontic appointments as fun and smooth as possible. From the moment you walk into our office, you will instantly experience the welcoming and friendly family environment we’ve worked hard to cultivate for our patients. Helping your child improve their smile so it serves them better in the future is an exciting process, and we want them to look forward to their orthodontic visits.
When Should My Child Get Braces?
There is no exact age at which your child should get braces. Instead, it depends on their oral health needs and how far along they are in their development. We suggest bringing your child in for their first orthodontic consultation around the age of seven. This way, they have a good mix of baby and adult teeth, so we have a better understanding of their growth patterns and can direct this growth in the right direction.
While we can start phases of treatment as early as age seven, we may decide that they need a few more years of observation before they are ready for braces. Braces are a fantastic tool for patients of all ages, but your child may not receive the same great results if we begin treatment prematurely.
How Do I Know If My Child Needs To See An Orthodontist?
There are various reasons you may decide to bring your child to an orthodontist, such as a professional referral or evident oral health issues. Many dentists pick up on developmental problems early and refer their patients to an orthodontist for corrective treatment.
However, we don’t want you to feel restricted to waiting for your dentist to refer you to our office. No one spends more time with your child than you, and it’s likely that you’ll notice some issues before their general dentist identifies them. In this case, you can call our office directly, and we can get your child in for their first visit. If you are confused as to what these issues may look like, problems we often treat include:
- Difficulty chewing or biting food
- Mouth breathing
- Jaws that make sounds when opening and closing
- Finger or thumb sucking
- Overcrowded teeth
What To Expect When Getting Braces For Kids?
We’ve found that our younger patients often have great success in treatment because their teeth and jaws are easier to influence with braces because they are still forming. Children are also better at adapting to change than adults and quickly get used to the feel of the metal appliance in their mouth. Throughout treatment, your child will need to come in periodically for adjustments so we can ensure there is consistent pressure to guide their teeth into the correct position.
In order to protect their braces, your child should avoid foods that are hard, sticky, or chewy. These snacks can break brackets and pull wires which may result in discomfort and a longer time in treatment. By eating soft or easy-to-chew foods, your child can enjoy safer and smoother progress toward a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime.
The Cost Of Braces
The cost of braces varies from patient to patient, depending on their unique treatment plan. While we believe that braces are an investment in a lifetime of beautiful smiles, we know that it can be challenging to figure out financials at the beginning of the process. This is why we’ve created flexible financing plans that can be customized to your budget. We also partner with insurance providers to help limit out-of-pocket costs. Your child deserves a smile that fills them with confidence, and we are excited to start this journey with you and your family.
