At Simply Southern Smiles Orthodontics, we specialize in providing braces for Statesville, NC kids aged 7-19 as a part of our pediatric orthodontic service. Dr. Woods has helped many children achieve the smile of their dreams.
If your child has lost their baby teeth and is beginning to show many permanent teeth, it is important to begin orthodontic treatment to ensure the best facial aesthetics. Braces for children straighten teeth using brackets bonded to each tooth. The braces slowly move teeth to the right position due to the carefully controlled pressure.
The braces installation process has changed a great deal in recent times. Our patients can now choose between clear and metal brackets. Wires are no longer as noticeable, and the technology moves teeth faster with little discomfort.
Different Types of Braces Available for Kids
There are different types of braces for kids. At Simply Southern Smiles Orthodontics, we’ll help you make the right choice based on your child’s orthodontic needs and general lifestyle. Some of the options we offer include the following:
- Traditional metal braces: These braces feature stainless steel brackets and are the most common type of braces.
- Ceramic braces: These braces are no different from the stainless steel variants. The key difference is in the muted and more discreet appearance of the brackets, thanks to the white ceramic material.
- Self-ligating braces: These braces will ensure that the teeth move into their proper position without the use of rubber bands and frequent orthodontic appointments.
Are you unsure of the right option? Dr. Woods will discuss each option with you and provide you with all the key details you need to make the right choice.
What Should I Expect When My Child Begins Orthodontic Treatment?
At Simply Southern Smiles Orthodontics, we are firm believers in cultivating a positive patient-doctor relationship from the first meeting.
During your child’s first visit, you’ll meet with Dr. Woods for the initial evaluation. After we’ve established a baseline assessment, we’ll proceed to either Phase One treatment with a clear plan that will help your child develop a healthy and aesthetically-appealing smile or if they’re not quite ready for treatment, we’ll put them into our orthodontic waiting program, Beau’s kids club.
The Phase One treatment will give your child the best possible foundation for optimal orthodontic health as they grow. It’s the perfect solution to prevent tooth decay or orthodontic surgery in the future. We’ll install braces and any other suitable orthodontic care devices at this stage based on our initial assessment and treatment plan.
You may need to bring the child for check-ups on the braces and retainers during this period. At Simply Southern Smiles Orthodontics, we put our clients at the center of the treatment process. We’ll create a plan that’s practical for everyone without compromising on results.
Perfect Braces Placement for Smile Arc Protection
At Simply Southern Smiles Orthodontics, we not only care about the placement of your child’s teeth but also the facial aesthetics of the smile. The “smile arc” refers to the relationship between the curvature of the lower lip and the curvature of the edges of your teeth while smiling. Sometimes, braces can have a flattening effect on the smile. This is why our braces installation process takes the smile arc into consideration to give your child the perfect healthy smile.
Life With Braces
Braces are low-maintenance orthodontic treatments, especially when compared to options like Invisalign® which require frequent removal and re-installation. Overall, they don’t significantly alter your child’s life.
The braces may be sore after the initial installation, but they shouldn’t cause your child sustained pain. You can combat the initial discomfort by doing the following:
- Give your child soft foods for the first 2-3 days after they get their braces tightened.
- Get some prescription pain reducers.
- Use orthodontic wax to alleviate friction between the inner gums and the brackets.
Generally, you’ll need to put away sticky, chewy, or hard foods from your child’s diet for as long as they wear braces. Such foods can damage the brackets, leaving pointy wires exposed.
Braces for kids won’t stop your child from engaging in sports. However, you need to ensure they wear a compatible mouth guard during such activities to keep their teeth and the installed braces safe. Finally, it’s important to encourage proper orthodontic hygiene. Ensure your child brushes twice a day to keep plaque from accumulating around the brackets.