The world does not glow without its people smiling. Smiling has been an effective and a critical part of unspoken communication. Without it, one can safely assume that a person may be hurt, in pain or angry. However, not every person in this world can smile freely without feeling ashamed of a crooked, misaligned, or a chipped tooth. The good thing is, the magic of orthodontics makes this within reach!
In a nutshell, orthodontics is a special branch or focus of dentistry that focuses on aligning a person’s jaw or teeth using devices or other methods to have the perfect smile and a healthy oral condition. Speaking of the orthodontic device, the most common one is the use of braces. In this article, we’ll be discussing how you can help a teenager pick brace for a smile that lasts.
Let’s first understand the different braces available in the market:
- Traditional Metal Braces
The continuous use and innovation of braces started from thicker and bulkier structure into a lightweight and fashionable dental accessory. Nowadays, you wouldn’t mind being the teen girl with braces that walks into a classroom with shame. You can smile all you want and at the same time, repair your teeth with ease.
Braces are constructed with high-grade stainless steel and strong metal brackets. These brackets are then attached to a tooth using dental cement. With a thin arch wire, metal brackets are connected with each other and is the one responsible for pressuring teeth to move in proper alignment.
At a given time, your orthodontist will tighten the ligatures which are connected to your brackets as an effect for pressuring the teeth to tighten.
- Ceramic Braces
If you’re not a fan of the metal braces, you can opt to have ceramic braces. Instead of wires and high-grade steel, ceramic braces utilize transparent and ceramic material that functions similarly to traditional metal braces. This orthodontic option is ideal for adults that need a more subtle treatment and for teen girls that want to switch braces.
The undesirable thing about ceramic braces is that patients often find their braces discolored. Unlike metal braces where drinks pass through the teeth, ceramic braces don’t provide this solution. The discoloration leaves marks on the patient’s teeth and these people often use dental products to get rid of it.
- Removable Aligners
Another orthodontic device rising in popularity is the use of removable aligners. If your teenage girl with braces feels discomfort due to the metal use, she can switch to the use of removable aligners for comfort and convenience. Much like removable mouth guards, these are custom-fit for a person and your orthodontist will fit you for at least every two weeks to align your teeth further.
There are instances when these removable aligners will be recommended as ongoing orthodontic care after treatment. Doing so will reinforce the results until your orthodontist would say that you have the perfect smile you’re dreaming of.
Now that we’ve discussed the most common types of braces that you or your teenage kid can choose from, let’s now talk on how you can pick the best option for them.
Assess Your Child’s Level of Responsibility
Some options mentioned above require higher maintenance and care than others. If your child doesn’t want to remove aligners every now and then, don’t want to be responsible for cleaning it, and tend to forget it laying out in the open, aligners will prove ineffective for them.
There are instances however, when they can take on this kind of responsibilities for the sake of leaving the discomfort of metal braces behind. A teen girl with braces can feel that their teeth are ruining their outfit or appearance that they may opt for removable aligners. More so, wearing metal braces hinders a person from eating some food items as instructed by the orthodontist.
Discuss Maintenance Concerns With Kids
Orthodontic devices need proper care and maintenance to be effective. For example, having metal braces means you need to listen to the orthodontist’s dates of appointment, brushing your teeth with care and among others. On the other hand, removable aligners need to be brushed, soaked in a solution and cleaned before and after removing.
Your child’s orthodontist will tell your kid what he needs to do but as a parent, you’ll be the ones enforcing such maintenance measures. So, it is important that your kid understands every part of it.
Ask for their Choice
There is no doubt that teenage girls with braces will gladly remove their device for a removable aligner. One of the main reasons is because of its invisible and subtle appearance. It does not attract attention to the teeth, unlike metal braces do. More so, metal braces can be uncomfortable for some.
The decision lies in both the orthodontist’s advice and the child’s preference in choosing a brace suited for them. Your child’s orthodontist is more than glad to help you and your child with alternatives just as long as you follow his instructions and commit to the appointment dates.