Braces for children: all your questions answered

Braces for children: In this week’s Q&A, Dr Lían O’Dwyer, specialist orthodontist at our Knocklyon practice in Dublin, answers some common questions about braces for children, including when and why to consider orthodontic treatment

Q: At what age should my child be assessed for braces for children?

A: The Orthodontic Society of Ireland recommends that you bring your child for an orthodontic assessment at approximately seven or eight years of age. Some children may benefit from an orthodontic evaluation as young as age five or six, and others can wait until the baby teeth have fallen out and the permanent teeth are coming into place at 11 or 12 years.

Q: What causes the need for braces?

A: Tooth and jaw issues are often inherited. Some problems can be caused by losing baby teeth too soon, habits such as thumb-sucking, or as a result of accidents. If there is not enough room in the jaws for the teeth, they become crowded or crooked.

Q: Why is it necessary to correct crowded or crooked teeth in children?

A: Crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth can be hard to keep clean, potentially leading to decay and gum disease. Misaligned teeth can also often interfere with a healthy bite, which can lead to excessive tooth wear, jaw problems, or chipped teeth.

Q: How will I know if my child needs braces?

A: Your family dentist can help you determine if and when to consider orthodontic evaluation, as well as recommending a specialist orthodontist.

Q: What are the signs that my child may need braces?

A: Some signs that a child may benefit from braces include:

• Irregular, delayed or early loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty in chewing or biting
• Crowded, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
• Jaws that shift or make sounds
• Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
• Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
• Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face

Q: What is the best age for a child to be fitted with braces?

A: Orthodontic treatment most commonly begins between ages eight and 14. Children in this age range have at least some permanent teeth and are still growing. Your specialist orthodontist will advise you on the most appropriate time to start any treatment.

Q: Is orthodontic treatment painful?

A: The process of fitting braces is not painful. Some discomfort is to be expected for a period after appliances are fitted for the first time or after they have been tightened. However, this usually settles after a few days.

Q: How long does orthodontic treatment take?

A: Treatment typically lasts 12-24 months, depending on individual requirements. Regular visits for adjustment and progress review will vary in frequency from every five to eight weeks, according to the treatment stage. Following treatment, your child will be advised to use a fixed or removable retainer to keep the teeth in their new position.

For more tips and advice on looking after your family’s oral health, visit dentalcareireland.ie

Teeth straightening is now a simple treatment for adults

While orthodontics used to be primarily for teenagers, patients of all ages are now getting ‘braces’ fitted to correct any misalignment of teeth

It is perfectly natural to have concerns about whether your teeth are as straight as they could be – and most of us probably do worry about this at some stage in our lives. In the past, adults used to think that there was nothing further to be done about the issue as braces were only for young people. People would assume that their age meant their teeth had ‘settled’ and getting braces would have no effect.

However, as the technology around orthodontics and braces has developed over the years, there has never been a better time to get your teeth straightened. Not only is it very effective regardless of your age, it is also painless, comfortable and very straightforward. There are also various different methods used which will depend on your age and the amount of work you need done.

Why braces?

There are three main reasons why you, as an adult, might want or need orthodontic treatment:

• Function: Misaligned teeth affect your ‘bite’ and how you eat. Common issues include crowding, ‘deep bite’, protruding teeth and ‘crossbite’. Braces will correct these problems.
• Health: Having straight teeth throughout your mouth is better for your overall gum and dental health. It makes cleaning – brushing, flossing, etc – easier and more effective.
• Appearance: Many people opt to get braces for aesthetic reasons. If your teeth are crooked, they can affect how your smile looks. Indeed, many people don’t smile as much as they should if they are self-conscious about crooked teeth. Getting them straightened solves this and will give you a new self-confidence.

A visit to your dentist/orthodontist will help you to assess what treatment, if any, you would benefit from. Younger people who need braces generally get them fitted between the ages of eight and 14, while adults of all ages get theirs done.

Assessment

When your dentist refers you to a specialist orthodontist, they will examine your teeth and advise you on the best treatment for you. This will vary from patient to patient and will include a discussion on the most suitable braces.

How long does it take?

Orthodontic treatment in both children and adults usually lasts for between 12 and 24 months, though it is different for each patient. This depends on how much work you will need done. After treatment, your orthodontist may also advise you to use a retainer so your teeth stay in the position achieved.

How much does it cost?

Prices are different for each patient and will depend on your case and the type of braces you opt for. Your orthodontist will help you to choose the best option.

We use three different types of braces here in Dental Care Ireland:

Invisalign Clear Aligners

Clear aligners from Invisalign are made from plastic and are created just for your teeth. They are fixed to your teeth by your orthodontist and are practically invisible. They are one of the most popular options for this reason.

Ceramic braces

Clear – or ceramic – braces are another popular option as they are tooth-coloured and also barely noticeable.

Traditional metal braces

These remain the most popular option for children and adolescents as they provide the most effective and lasting solution to the problems misaligned teeth can create for young people. The brackets are ‘cemented’ to the teeth and a wire is used to ‘pressure’ the teeth into moving.

What do I have to do?

Your orthodontist will advise you on how best to care for your teeth while undergoing treatment as well as when your treatment is over. While wearing braces, it is important to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible through brushing and flossing, as well as watching what you eat and regularly visiting your dentist and/or hygienist.

Dental Care Ireland has full orthodontic services in the following practices:

• Callan Dental
• Dental Care Ireland Ashbourne
• Dental Care Ireland Cabinteely
• Dental Care Ireland Carlow 
• Dental Care Ireland Greystones
• Dental Care Ireland Swords

You will also find them in our partner practice in Dublin 4 Northumberland Dental Care.

Find out more about Dental Care Ireland and the treatments on offer in our practices nationwide.

To find the Dental Care Ireland practice nearest you, check our list of locations here: https://www.dentalcareireland.ie/practices/

Ideal time to bring children to the dentist

With summer here and children getting off school, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring them to the dentist whether for their first visit, a regular check-up or an orthodontic consultation

It can be hard to get your children to the dentist at the best of times, but when they’re at school, it can be even more difficult for busy parents to organise. So when summer arrives, it is often easier for all concerned to make the time for a vital check-up.

First visit

It is recommended that infants should first be brought to the dentist when their first tooth appears which is generally when they are about six months old. It is good to get them used to the idea of a dentist from an early age. Dentists will also be able to advise you on how best to look after your young children’s baby teeth. They will also be able to spot the beginnings of any problems that may occur later.

We have written in the past about how to ensure your child’s first dental visit is a success and we believe it is crucial that children should feel comfortable and relaxed so that subsequent visits are also stress-free.

School children

Most national or primary level school children finish up at the end of June. You may then be going on holidays or they may be doing summer camps, so it is worth booking them in for a check-up before those things happen. That way, you won’t have to worry about it for the rest of the summer or be under pressure when school begins again in late August.

Ideally, of course, there would be regular free check-ups during school and the Irish Dental Association (IDA) has consistently urged to government to introduce more frequent dental screenings in Irish schools. The Health Service Executive (HSE) does operate the Schools Screening Services which aims to screen children in second, fourth and sixth class. However, the IDA points out that “due to restrictions in the public service, these target classes are not always reached”.

So it is worthwhile bringing your children yourself. Your dentist will then get an opportunity to assess what treatment is needed, if any, including fissure sealants or fillings. They will also be able to advise you and your child on how best to look after their first teeth, including what food and drink to avoid and how to brush properly. Often, children need to hear this not just from you as parents but from a professional.

As with most health issues, prevention is better than cure, so regular visits will allow dentists to spot potential problems and deal with them as early as possible. At this age – from four to 12 – regular dentists will also be able to monitor how your child’s mouth is developing and when – or if – they will need to see an orthodontist.

Teenagers

If your children have been used to going to the dentist regularly from an early age, it will generally be easier to get them to go when they become teenagers. However, as any parent will tell you, bad habits can begin to slip in when your children hit their teens.

It is up to you to encourage good dental habits, such as brushing regularly, flossing and having the right diet (as much as possible). It is also worth encouraging them to be independent and take care of themselves, which means going to the dentist for a check-up or to see a hygienist. However, as we all know, ‘ordering’ teens to do anything, let alone go to the dentist, can be counter-productive.

Teenagers, like the rest of us, care about their health and their appearance so will want to have strong, healthy teeth. So help them to achieve this by allowing them to make their own appointments with the dentist and taking responsibility for their own wellbeing.

However, you can also make an appointment for them and bring them to the dentist if that’s easier for all concerned. The important thing is to make sure they are getting regular check-ups.

Orthodontics

As well as good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, orthodontic treatment will probably be the biggest dental treatment your children will need. A majority of young people need to get braces fitted and the best time to do it is usually between the ages of 10 and 13, though it will depend on the child.

While braces were once unwieldy and sometimes uncomfortable, nowadays they are much easier to fit and to wear. Thanks to modern technology, people can now choose from traditional braces, tooth-coloured ceramic ones or clear Invisalign types which are custom-made for patients’ mouths and which blend in naturally so that they are not unsightly. We use all three kinds in Dental Care Ireland practices and we work with our patients – and their parents – to choose the most suitable type.

For more on the range of treatments available in Dental Care Ireland practices around the country, click here. To find a practice nearest you, visit our website here: https://www.dentalcareireland.ie/practices/

Do you need soft food ideas for braces?

Dental Care Ireland is committed to providing a reliable, community dental experience. If you need soft food ideas for braces, or information on any other dental matter, please get in touch with us

As we’ve seen in previous blogs, orthodontic treatment is becoming increasingly popular with both adults and children, as technology improves to make braces less noticeable, more effective and more comfortable for people. But there are also practical, day-to-day realities when it comes to orthodontics, particularly when you get them fitted and are getting used to them. One thing you need to have are soft food ideas for braces.

Of course, it is important that you steer clear of hard foods like nuts and hard sweets which may damage braces when you’ve just had them fitted, regardless of whether they are made from ceramic, steel or Invisalign. But the reality is that many foods could be classified as “hard” so what are the best soft food ideas for braces?

Dairy products such as yoghurts and cheeses are great for braces, as well as soups, mashed potatoes and gravy. It’s important to be creative – just because meats tend to be hard on your teeth doesn’t mean you can’t have, say, tender shavings of meat or meals like lasagne or quiche.

You may have to forgo rashers on weekend mornings, but smoked salmon and scrambled eggs are both healthy and will be very soft on your new braces.

If you need any more information about your new braces, we are pleased to let you know that all our Dublin practices – in Knocklyon, Swords, Ballsbridge and Cabinteely – have an orthodontist on hand to help if you are looking for specialised treatment.

Braces are safe, reliable and very effective. If you are interested in learning more, please contact our friendly team who can talk you through your options and what will work best for you after an initial consultation.

If you’re looking to book an appointment to get braces in Dublin, our practices around the city can offer you the help you need. Dental Care Ireland practices open late, on weekends and during lunchtime, so make sure you consult our opening hours