5 Reasons Braces Are Medically Necessary

Although some people may choose braces for solely cosmetic reasons, they are usually medically necessary for numerous children and adults. Your dentist is the first person to turn to for a valuable piece of advice and there are multiple reasons why he or she would send you to see an orthodontist, regardless of your child’s age. 

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an early pre-scanning orthodontist visit which may correct the present situations by applying preventive measures. Therefore, braces can also be avoided in those cases. For example, if you noticed that your child is sucking a finger or a thumb for a significant period, further jawline modification can be avoided by eliminating the child’s habit. On the other hand, if your child lost the baby teeth early, late, or irregularly, there is a great chance that the braces are the best solution. 

1. Braces Assist in Regular Jaw Development

Most of the kids have normal jaw development, but some may need special consideration. Whether your child suffered some kind of accident or injury or maybe has a condition like Kleinfelter syndrome, these things will present a potential development issue that can greatly affect their confidence and the way they perceive themselves. 

Luckily, braces can usually solve the ongoing problem, especially when skeletal growth is still taking place. They can change the jawline and align the teeth, which then improves the position of the jaw bone. This will give the face symmetric look and more importantly, ensure normal jaw development and prevent future health problems. 

2. Misaligned Teeth Correction

This is a common problem among children and it’s usually hard to detect it. Once the parent notices the malocclusion (teeth misalignment), it is still not alarming, because the braces will fix the problem. 

On the other hand, this type of malocclusion can lead to its more severe variant which is a condition called the deep bite. Due to an excessive vertical overlap between the front teeth, this condition can lead to increased tooth mobility, gum damage, constant tooth pain, and even some hearing or digestive problems. 

For the youngsters who still don’t have any type of tooth wear or missing and broken down teeth, a deep bite can be corrected with various types of braces. It will improve their teeth functionality, reduce any future tooth wear and keep the teeth healthy and easy to floss. After all, we want to see their beautiful smile for many years to come. 

3. Crooked Teeth and Gaps Adjustment

Crooked teeth are never a good sign, and alongside the unpleasant appearance, they can cause a lot of discomfort including difficulty in chewing. They are hard to clean, and your child will be missing the important parts when brushing. That is how the bacteria accumulate in these unreached areas which then lead us to unpopular tooth decay. 

When it comes to gaps, some of those are normal and won’t have any negative impact, while others may become a health risk. If we know that our teeth are there to protect the gums, these enlarged spaces will leave them exposed to trauma. Furthermore, trauma can lead to teeth loss. Luckily, both of these problems can be prevented by braces. 

4. Preventing the Cheek and Tongue Bites

It is very common to see this issue with kids who have crooked, misaligned, or overcrowded teeth. This biting happens involuntarily for multiple reasons. For example, the misaligned teeth can throw off the bite and increase the odds that the tongue or inside of the cheek will be trapped between them once your child bites down. 

When happening continually, cheek or tongue biting will lead to tissue damage and create a perfect environment for infections. Once that occurs, the problem goes beyond oral hygiene. On the other hand, your little one will be in constant discomfort with the open wounds inside the mouth. 

5. Bruxism Reduction

Bruxism or teeth grinding is, believe it or not, also affecting the children. However, it doesn’t have to be a clear sign of an overstressed child or a pathology, since it is usually a natural response to facial bones and muscle formation. 

But if the condition is persistent, it may cause different problems like headaches, jaw inflammation, wearing of the teeth, and malocclusion. Also, a misaligned jaw can be a reason that your child began clenching the jaw in the first place. What braces can do is push the teeth into the correct position and allow biting forces to be distributed properly. This may significantly reduce bruxism. 

Once the braces are placed, oral hygiene must be at the highest level. That is why the little ones must be equipped with the right teeth brushing techniques and knowledge from the earliest days. Besides correct teeth brushing, a child should be taught how to properly use the mouthwash and perform the flossing when it reaches a certain age.