Dental caries are common for kids and untreated dental caries affects 32% of persons between the ages of 20 and 44.In addition to not visiting a dentist or orthodontist, this also entails avoiding braces. Not treating dental problems such as this in a timely manner could result in a number of oral-related issues.  This is why it’s critical to consider whether youngsters should receive braces and how to determine whether they do.

When Do Children Get Braces?

Because permanent teeth begin to fully erupt between the ages of 9 and 13, this is the optimum time to wear braces for kids (จัดฟันเด็ก, term in Thai). The ideal time for parents to bring their kids to orthodontic appointments is between 7 to 12 years old. The dentist might examine the patient for a few different problems. The orthodontist might determine if the jaw needs to be realigned, which can be done with braces.The dentist will also look for crowded teeth, which might require tooth extraction so that braces can be used to realign the teeth. Aside from this, the dentist will also conduct history taking such as when the kid is a thumb sucker or mouth breather. An x-ray of the teeth is also done to ensure proper teeth alignment. This wills helpdetermine whether braces are necessary and how the permanent teeth will erupt. Hence, it will help determine the necessity of braces, especially eliminate worries from parents who are very wary about their kids’ oral health issues. 

How Can I Tell If Someone Needs Braces?

By simply looking at crooked teeth, a parent can easily tell if the child needs braces. Once you suspect this kind of issue, it is best to have your kids seen by an orthodontist, especially those specializing in pediatric dentistry to address the issue and assess any underlying problems. It will also decide the type of braces your child requires and how long they should wear them. You may be able to determine problems such as underbite or overbite, which is quite hard to assess without visiting a dentist. These warning indicators may not be noticeable by a parent, but they can give you some notion of whether your child needs braces or not. 

For this reason, you should send your kid to an orthodontist once they turn 7 years old to see if they require braces to straighten their teeth. At this age, the kid’s permanent teeth start to appear. As a parent, your role is to assess whether or not your child’s oral health is in best shape. Once these problems are corrected, not only will your child’s smile will improve significantly, but will also alleviate any pain and discomfort brought about by these problems. Not to mention, it will also boost your child’s self-confidence. The practice of seeing a dentist in a timely manner is not only applicable to kids, but also to adults. That is why it is important to lay down the foundation at an early age.