Braces are commonplace with teenagers nowadays… and most importantly, they have become a very accepted part of teenage life. There is no reason for any teenage child to suffer with crooked teeth, that take them into adulthood.
Crooked teeth or large gaps between teeth can cause problems with bacteria. Decay can arise when food gets stuck between teeth and mouth ulcers, decay and problems with speech can occur with teeth that stick out. All these issues can be addressed by having teeth straightened through orthodontic treatment.
Your dentist can advise you as a parent if your child will benefit from a referral for orthodontic treatment – and at the next stage your child will be assessed to determine whether that treatment can take place on the NHS or if it will need to be carried out privately and what costs that will involve.
Many braces now can be clear or indeed coloured if a teenager would prefer…there are so many options available.
Whilst wearing a brace, it is essential that your child keeps on top of the cleanliness of their mouth to make sure they don’t have bad breath and that all areas of the teeth are kept squeaky clean. Our team would recommend your child carries a toothbrush around with them to clean their teeth after eating, even at school.
For more information about braces, you can visit the NHS website, or talk to your dentist about the options.