Every parent knows that not only should they pay attention to their child’s physical health, but oral health as well. As kids are growing, their teeth are always changing. If your child’s dentist has recommended that you seek out orthodontic care, you may be wondering what to look out for, and what to expect. At Jaffe Orthodontics, we are here to guide and educate parents about what braces can do for their child, and what to expect.

At What Age Should They Start?

Depending on what your dentist and orthodontist recommends, anyone can get braces at any time. The best age to get braces varies with each individual, depending on the severity and cause of the misalignment of your child’s teeth. Most children start orthodontic treatment between the ages of 7 to 14 when they start losing their baby teeth and their adult teeth begin to grow. At Jaffe, we offer a two-phase treatment plan for children patients. The interceptive phase (phase 1) is when we perform orthodontic treatment at an early age when the permanent teeth are growing and shifting. Then, in phase 2, we address specific problems that need to be addressed within the treatment. Overall, it’s best to get a consultation and see what the orthodontist suggests before diving into treatment right away.

What Types of Braces Are Offered to Children?

For children, there are all kinds of braces available. Depending on what your orthodontist recommends, and what your lifestyle is like, one type may be better than another. At Jaffe, we offer different treatment options, including:

• Traditional Metal Braces
• Ceramic “Tooth-Colored” Braces- Use brackets made from ceramic rather than metal.
• Invisalign– Custom-fitted, clear, removable aligners.
• Invisalign Teen- Invisalign catered specifically for teenagers.

Care Regimen

Before you rush into getting braces for your child, it’s important to remember the responsibilities that entail once getting them. As a parent, you should consider if your child is prepared to take care of braces, especially when they’re alone at school. With braces, it’s important to be attentive to your child’s oral hygiene regimens. If your child is getting braces, you must consider:

• Make sure they brush their teeth 3-4 times a day, including after eating meals & snacks.
• Floss and use mouthwash daily.
• If they are using Invisalign, make sure they clean their aligners daily to remove plaque & bacteria build-up.

It’s also important to remember that certain foods are off-limits for people with braces. Chewy, crunchy, sticky, and hard foods are off-limits when you have braces. This includes popcorn, caramel, nuts, taffy, certain hard candies, and even ice. These types of foods can cause braces to break, which amount to extra appointments with the orthodontist. These limitations can make it hard for children to adapt to braces, so it’s important to discuss with them what lifestyle changes they might have to make.

Cost & Expenses

The average cost of braces is around $5,000, but it depends on several factors such as the complexity of the correction and if your health insurance covers all or a portion of the cost. It also depends on what type of braces your child needs and for how long the treatment will last. Overall, braces are an investment for your child’s oral health. At Jaffe, we aim to bring the highest-quality care to our patients understanding that we want your investment to be worth it. We offer in-house financing that is convenient for families, and we try to be as flexible as we can.

How We Can Help!

At Jaffe Orthodontics, we make sure to educate parents on everything about braces, taking them step-by-step. We know how frustrating and confusing orthodontics could be, especially for busy parents. If you have any more questions, please feel free to reach out and contact us today! We are happy to work with you and your family!

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