Braces for Teens

While your teen may dread having braces, they’ll love their smile after the treatment! Properly aligned teeth affect everything from how your teen feels about themselves to how others perceive them, and having braces now can prevent further issues from arising down the road. Learn more about your options for braces for teens in Belmont, NC, today!

Life With Braces

Luckily, teens don’t have to sacrifice their favorite activities because of their braces. However, your teen should make certain adjustments to continue their life with minimal discomfort and to prevent possible damage to their braces.

Two common worries your teen may voice include eating and playing sports. You can help your teen continue to place their favorite games by providing them with a customized mouthguard. Most foods won’t hurt your teen’s braces, but for extra safety, avoid foods with a chewy, hard, or sticky texture and cut up fruits or veggies for easier consumption.

Caring for Braces

Besides avoiding certain foods, actively cleaning their teeth helps teens’ braces last longer. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste and brush in circular motions while firmly pressing the brush against the teeth. Your teen should pay special attention to their gums and any areas between brackets.

After brushing for two minutes, your teen should use floss to remove any residue between their teeth. Some floss has a threader for getting between the brackets and teeth, allowing it to reach tight spaces. If floss won’t do the job, a water pick offers the cleaning action of floss while not being as invasive.

How Long Will I Wear Braces?

Differences in mouth shape, size, and teeth layout affect the length of time your teen will wear their braces. Most teenagers keep their braces for between 12 and 24 months, while others may wear them for as short as six months. Extended treatment usually addresses other dental problems, including bite misalignments, teeth that have yet to erupt, or closing larger gaps between teeth.

Every set of teeth requires unique treatment, so don’t feel disappointed if your teen wears braces longer than anticipated.

Types of Braces for Teens

When researching the different types of braces for teens in Belmont, NC, you’ll find that modern-day braces have improved over the past few decades. Check out these advanced options for teens needing braces.

Metal Braces

Traditional metal bracket braces remain the most used type of braces. Metal braces allow teens to brighten their smiles by placing colored bands around their brackets representing their favorite team, holiday, or other color combination. Metal braces are the most popular option because of their affordability and proven effectiveness.

Ceramic Braces

Clear ceramic braces operate much like their metal counterparts without being as noticeable. Instead of shiny metallic brackets, an orthodontist attaches ceramic brackets which blend in quite well for a more natural appearance.

Braces have many benefits outside of simple aesthetic fixes. It may be difficult to picture during treatment, but your teenager will thank you when they get to experience their new beautiful smile!