It takes time for most kids to adjust to wearing traditional braces. Parents need to remind them that the braces fix problems that can affect their teeth and dental health throughout their lives.
At Lovett Dental Gulfgate, we provide many braces for kids options, including traditional braces. We will work with you and your child to determine if pediatric braces may be the right choice.
What Are Dental Braces?
Dental braces for kids, or pediatric braces, fix major problems that can affect kids in adulthood. Some issues that require braces include:
- Over, under, and open bites
- Deep bites
- Crossbites
- Gaps
- Crooked teeth
Left unchecked, these problems can interfere with jaw alignment later in life. That’s why there are so many benefits of dental braces for kids.
3 Benefits of Braces for Kids
1. Braces Can Help Prevent Bone Erosion
Poorly aligned teeth can lead to problems with the jaw, including bone erosion. A child with gaps or crooked teeth probably has trouble chewing food and talking. Those two things can wear on the jawbone and on the soft tissue that helps to stabilize the teeth. Eventually, the bone and gum will erode, causing problems.
2. Braces Can Reduce the Risk of Gum Disease
When teeth don’t line up properly, some do not get clean when your child brushes. It may be impossible to get the floss between the teeth as well. Without proper cleaning, plaque and bacteria build up around the teeth and gum, leading to decay. Poor oral hygiene leads to cavities, gingivitis, and, eventually, gum disease.
Getting dental braces to put teeth in proper alignment could mean a healthier mouth.
3. Braces Can Protect Teeth From Fracture and Chipping
Proper alignment means the lips protect the teeth when the mouth closes. If that is not happening, then teeth are vulnerable to trauma. They are more likely to chip and may even break.
Braces put everything in the right place, so the mouth closes right, and the teeth have better protection.
How Do Dental Braces Fix Tooth Alignment?
Braces use pressure to force teeth to move a little at a time. When the tooth moves, it leaves a gap in the bone. The bone remodels to fill the gap with fresh tissue to stabilize the tooth in its new location. It’s a process that repeats itself over and over.
When the teeth stabilize, the pediatric dentist tightens the braces more to start the process repeatedly. Each tightening of the braces forces the teeth to move a little more.
Eventually, the teeth align properly, and the braces come off. Then the child wears a retainer to keep the alignment in place until the bone around the teeth becomes stronger.
Dental Services Available at Lovett Dental Gulfgate
Lovett Dental Gulfgate is a family practice that offers many different dental services, including braces for kids.
We take a multidisciplinary approach to family dentistry with specialty dental services in:
- Pediatrics — Dentistry specially designed for kids. Our dental professionals go through training to diagnose and treat problems seen in children.
- Orthodontics — This is the specialty that deals with tooth alignment. Our orthodontist can evaluate your kids’ teeth to determine if they would benefit from pediatric braces.
- Periodontics — This is the treatment of the supporting structures of the teeth, such as the gums and bones.
- Maxillofacial surgery — We have some of the top oral surgeons in the state at Lovett Dental Gulfgate.
- Endodontics — An endodontist treats diseases of the dental pulp.
Our team provides comprehensive dental care for the entire care, including dental braces for kids.
Straighten Your Child’s Smile with Dental Braces from Lovett Dental Gulfgate
It’s never too late to get your kid’s teeth evaluated for braces. Our Lovett Dental Gulfgate staff will set you up with an appointment so that your child can have the best smile possible. Give us a call today at 713-847-8822 or fill out our online contact form.
