Are braces for your child worth it? Advantages from our dentist
Getting your child to attend a dental checkup can feel like a challenge at the best of times.
If you are told that your child could benefit from braces, you may feel that they will be sulky with you for the rest of your life if you have one fitted. But, there are many advantages to your child wearing a brace in their younger years and, we promise, they will thank you for it later!
At Aura Dental, we are proud of the orthodontic options that we can provide for our younger patients. Our dentist St John’s Wood and the rest of our team have helped thousands of children get straighter smiles, and we can attest to the many advantages that this treatment can offer in the short and long term.
So what are some of the advantages of your child undertaking braces with our dentist St John’s Wood?
Better nutrition
Your child will eat most of what you give them. But, when they are out and about or at school, the position of their teeth may create issues for them. As a result, they may be passing up on healthier food options such as fruits and vegetables in lieu of chips and softer foods.
When our dentist St John’s Wood fits a brace and your child’s teeth start to straighten, they will find it easier to bite into and chew harder foods, thus improving their overall nutrition. Great!
Clearer speech
It is amazing how big a role our teeth play in our speech. If your child has an overbite, we are willing to bet that they have issues pronouncing the ‘th’ and ‘s’ sounds. If they have an underbite, they may struggle with pronouncing the letter ‘l’.
With a brace, we can correct these issues and thus, as their teeth realign, their speech will become clearer and their confidence will improve.
Improved oral health
Misaligned teeth are harder to brush; it is a fact of life.
If your child has complex misalignments, they may regularly need fillings or fluoride sealants to protect their teeth against decay. So, being fitted with a brace will make it easier for them to brush and clean their teeth, improving their dental health in the long run.
Better long term physical health
Following on from misaligned teeth being harder to brush, should your child not have their teeth straightened, they may develop a higher incidence of plaque in their mouth.
Excessive levels of plaque have been linked to serious health issues like heart disease, cancer and even strokes. So, by straightening your child’s teeth and making it easier for them to clean out plaque deposits, you will actually be ensuring better physical health for the rest of their life.
Improved confidence
And of course, what better way to set your child up for a happier life than by improving their self-esteem with a straight, healthier smile.
Children who have their teeth straightened using a brace earlier in life often report higher levels of confidence when they reach their teenage years and beyond. Remember, for those under the age of 18 years, orthodontic work is free in the UK so, it won’t cost you a penny!