Braces Yourself
The changing face of braces allows tweens to make a statement with their smiles!
by James J. Caveney, A.B., D.D.S., MS

PARENTGUIDE News November 2003

Your child’s smile is one of your most endearing treasures as a parent— whether it’s baby’s first toothless smile, or the one beaming from the high school graduation portrait. A healthy smile contributes to good health, self-confidence and a good quality of life. Nature blesses some of us with perfect teeth. For the rest, it’s important to seek orthodontic treatment to achieve properly aligned teeth and jaws because positioning of teeth provides increased likelihood for good oral hygiene and a great-looking smile.

Attitudes regarding orthodontic treatment have changed dramatically over the years. A survey conducted earlier this year by the AAO found that mothers today think that braces are “cooler” now than when they were children. Their children look forward to getting braces— something unheard of a generation ago. These intelligent, sharp, and observant youngsters know that orthodontic treatment will make them look better, and they can have fun during their orthodontic treatment and meet interesting students from other schools. Children love the rainbow of colors that orthodontic elastics come in today. They often choose to wear school colors, the colors of a favorite college or professional sports team or holiday colors. These colors can be changed at every appointment. This increases young patients’ interest as they actively take part in their treatment. That enthusiasm carries over into great results.

Most patients begin orthodontic treatment between the ages of 9 and 14. Some may need to start sooner—up to 14 percent of the population has what is known as a “handicapping malocclusion” (malocclusion literally means “bad bite”), which can be disfiguring. This is one of the reasons the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all children get an evaluation by an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7. An early check-up can detect a developing problem. The orthodontist can then recommend appropriate treatment at the time that is most advantageous for the patient.

The following signs may suggest the need to visit the orthodontist:
·difficulty in chewing or biting
·mouth breathing because of an open bite (a bite that literally will not close)
·crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
·jaws that shift or make sounds
·speech difficulties
·repeated biting of the cheek or the roof of the mouth
·teeth that meet abnormally, or don’t meet at all
·facial imbalance
·jaws that are too far forward or back
·grinding
“Buck teeth” can fracture easily when bumped and these malocclusions do not self correct, which can create a psychological problem if the child is teased. These problems may be better treated earlier rather than later.

Yet these young patients cannot do it alone. A partnership is forged when orthodontic treatment begins. It includes the patient, the parents, guardians, the orthodontist, plus the family dentist. The orthodontist provides the treatment to straighten teeth and align the jaws. The dentist makes sure that teeth and gums stay clean and healthy. But the bulk of the “work” is done by the patient and the parents. Both play a huge part in the success of treatment by following the orthodontist’s instructions, keeping appointments, avoiding some foods during treatment and ensuring the patient eats a healthy diet which provides essential nutrients to bone and tissues undergoing change during orthodontic treatment. This teamwork will help the patient get the best results in the shortest possible time –and everyone is happier.

Parents can help their children adjust to orthodontic treatment with a little “TLC” and a little creativity in the kitchen. If the orthodontist prescribes it, over-the-counter analgesics can help ease tenderness when braces are first placed and after adjustments, as needed. Be sure to have a supply of orthodontic wax on hand. Place it temporarily on a bracket if it is causing some discomfort. Your orthodontic patient will appreciate soft foods and soup for the first few days after braces go on. Remind your youngster to tear bite-sized pieces off sandwiches, rather than biting into them. Hard or crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots, should be cut into pieces for the convenience of the patient.
Orthodontic patients should stay away from anything that is chewy, sticky or crunchy, especially caramel, taffy, bubblegum (even sugarless varieties), hard pretzels, peanuts, taco chips and unpopped kernels of popcorn. Patients can still enjoy an occasional treat, but only if they brush right after indulging.

The orthodontist will instruct patients in how to clean their teeth, gums and braces. Encourage your child to follow these instructions. Keep ample supplies of recommended hygiene helpers in stock.

James J. Caveney, A.B., D.D.S., MS, is the president of the American Association of Orthodontists.