what do you wish you had known re braces?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lot of kids don’t need it, it is way overdone in this country

It’s definitely true that Americans of a certain class level, the expectation and norm is to have perfect teeth. Even a generation ago there was a lot of “good enough” teeth and we didn’t get braces.

Then again their teeth look really good.

My parents were told I didn't need braces and it was good enough. I have lots of issues now. We were told our child didn't need them but it was purely our decision and cosmetic. There was no question we'd do them. And, now that they are on, looking at the progress it was absolutely worth it.

[Anonymous]

I wish I had known that cement stains would never be able to be completely removed. I believe braces ruined the color of my teeth permanently.

[Anonymous]

Is her lower jaw recessed? See an oral surgeon too. Orthodontists can move teeth to mask issues with the jaw alignment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lot of kids don’t need it, it is way overdone in this country

It’s definitely true that Americans of a certain class level, the expectation and norm is to have perfect teeth. Even a generation ago there was a lot of “good enough” teeth and we didn’t get braces.

Then again their teeth look really good.

My parents were told I didn't need braces and it was good enough. I have lots of issues now. We were told our child didn't need them but it was purely our decision and cosmetic. There was no question we'd do them. And, now that they are on, looking at the progress it was absolutely worth it.

I’ve been wondering whether it’s worth it for DD’s borderline case. She has slight crowding, but nothing very noticeable and no bite issues. I’m wondering whether she could just decide to fix it later with Invisalign. My DH had invisalign and it was amazing the way it straightened his teeth.

[Anonymous]

I have three kids who started braces at three different time, but all wore retainers for at least a few years for a varying times.important to remember you’ll need to keep going back on a regular basis for checkins and the orthodontist will need to be cool enough that your kid will be honest with them about how much they are actually wearing their retainer at night, not just lying and saying they are when they aren’t. Complaint is key to log having braces put back on if you don’t wear your retainers since there is so much movement after braces come off, which you really don’t want to happen right when they are going to college IMO.

[Anonymous]

Orthodontics have different solutions for overbites. Some are better than others- ask around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Making your mouth colder will decrease inflammation and make braces hurt a little less. Popsicles, ice cream, smoothies and shakes galore in the first week after braces are put on. Sucking on an ice cube helps, but you have to remember not to bite down on it.

Orthodontic wax can cover a bracket that’s rubbing a lip or cheek raw.

Flossing with braces is challenging. Add a Waterpik to your regimen.

Your dentist should be able to recommend orthodontists.

^^None of that is relevant if you go with Invisalign.

Ok. Invisalign.

You'll be brushing or rinsing every time you eat or drink anything.
You have to keep them in for at least 21 hours a day.
You need to be religious about flossing.
You need a good system for cleaning the aligners during the day.
You'll have brackets on your teeth that are painful at first.
You'll need wax for the brackets.
You change trays every week or two and that can bring on pain and pressure.
Dogs love to find and eat them.
You might have other types of brackets and rubber bands.
You might talk funny.

Invisalign is not necessarily a better choice, especially for a kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lot of kids don’t need it, it is way overdone in this country

It’s definitely true that Americans of a certain class level, the expectation and norm is to have perfect teeth. Even a generation ago there was a lot of “good enough” teeth and we didn’t get braces.

Then again their teeth look really good.

My parents were told I didn't need braces and it was good enough. I have lots of issues now. We were told our child didn't need them but it was purely our decision and cosmetic. There was no question we'd do them. And, now that they are on, looking at the progress it was absolutely worth it.

I had braces and now I have significant gum recession. This is a common "side affect" of braces because you're moving the teeth away from the natural gum line.
Also, my top teeth moved years after I got my braces off while my bottom teeth did not, so I now have an open bite. This makes it hard to eat pizza for example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lot of kids don’t need it, it is way overdone in this country

It’s definitely true that Americans of a certain class level, the expectation and norm is to have perfect teeth. Even a generation ago there was a lot of “good enough” teeth and we didn’t get braces.

Then again their teeth look really good.

My parents were told I didn't need braces and it was good enough. I have lots of issues now. We were told our child didn't need them but it was purely our decision and cosmetic. There was no question we'd do them. And, now that they are on, looking at the progress it was absolutely worth it.

I had braces and now I have significant gum recession. This is a common "side affect" of braces because you're moving the teeth away from the natural gum line.
Also, my top teeth moved years after I got my braces off while my bottom teeth did not, so I now have an open bite. This makes it hard to eat pizza for example.

+1 I have discolored teeth and gum recession now thanks to braces. And my teeth have shifted anyway.

I’m planning to let my 13 year old do Invisalign but I see no rush. His teeth are in good shape. No way in hell braces are touching them.

[Anonymous]

OP here. This is all very helpful, thanks. Definitely not doing Invisalign because DC isn't responsible enough to be on top of all of that. 12 year molars aren't in yet but the over bite is bad, so we’ll see what the orthodontists say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Making your mouth colder will decrease inflammation and make braces hurt a little less. Popsicles, ice cream, smoothies and shakes galore in the first week after braces are put on. Sucking on an ice cube helps, but you have to remember not to bite down on it.

Orthodontic wax can cover a bracket that’s rubbing a lip or cheek raw.

Flossing with braces is challenging. Add a Waterpik to your regimen.

Your dentist should be able to recommend orthodontists.

^^None of that is relevant if you go with Invisalign.

Ok. Invisalign.

You'll be brushing or rinsing every time you eat or drink anything.
You have to keep them in for at least 21 hours a day.
You need to be religious about flossing.
You need a good system for cleaning the aligners during the day.
You'll have brackets on your teeth that are painful at first.
You'll need wax for the brackets.
You change trays every week or two and that can bring on pain and pressure.
Dogs love to find and eat them.
You might have other types of brackets and rubber bands.
You might talk funny.

Invisalign is not necessarily a better choice, especially for a kid.

I’ve had Invisalign myself and so have 2 of my kids and a couple friends.

Brackets on teeth are not painful and do not require wax. In our experience.
You don’t talk funny. In our experience.
Anyone with even basic skills can avoid a dog eating them. We have a dog. Non-issue.

But sure they have pros and cons. One of my kids did rubber bands with them. Yes this is a possibility.

[Anonymous]

That a lot of it is a racket.

[Anonymous]

Don't you have a pediatric dentist? Our has an orthodontist that they normally work with, and we just went there. If you want specific recommendations, then Nextdoor is better than here. or Facebook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Making your mouth colder will decrease inflammation and make braces hurt a little less. Popsicles, ice cream, smoothies and shakes galore in the first week after braces are put on. Sucking on an ice cube helps, but you have to remember not to bite down on it.

Orthodontic wax can cover a bracket that’s rubbing a lip or cheek raw.

Flossing with braces is challenging. Add a Waterpik to your regimen.

Your dentist should be able to recommend orthodontists.

^^None of that is relevant if you go with Invisalign.

Ok. Invisalign.

You'll be brushing or rinsing every time you eat or drink anything.
You have to keep them in for at least 21 hours a day.
You need to be religious about flossing.
You need a good system for cleaning the aligners during the day.
You'll have brackets on your teeth that are painful at first.
You'll need wax for the brackets.
You change trays every week or two and that can bring on pain and pressure.
Dogs love to find and eat them.
You might have other types of brackets and rubber bands.
You might talk funny.

Invisalign is not necessarily a better choice, especially for a kid.

Not sure where you got this information, but it's wrong.

My kid has invisalign and there are no "brackets" or anything else on his teeth, and there has been no pain. You are confusing with real braces. Also, no wax, whatever that is. Trays are not changed every week or two; it's less than that, and there has been zero pain or discomfort.

Dogs do love to find and eat them. They need to be put back in the case at all times. My kid has been careful, but the dog ate mine once.

No talking funny or rubber bands. Nothing like that.

Invisalign is a very good choice for a kid that tends to be meticulous and responsible. They do need to take them out and put them back in for eating, which is enough of a pain that my kid will sometimes skip eating in order to avoid it. But that's been the only real negative. A kid who wouldn't consistently put them back in or wear them enough hours a day would not do well with Invisalign, but if you have the kind of kid who'll comply then Invisalign is a great choice for kids who have self-esteem issues and would be negatively affected by braces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Making your mouth colder will decrease inflammation and make braces hurt a little less. Popsicles, ice cream, smoothies and shakes galore in the first week after braces are put on. Sucking on an ice cube helps, but you have to remember not to bite down on it.

Orthodontic wax can cover a bracket that’s rubbing a lip or cheek raw.

Flossing with braces is challenging. Add a Waterpik to your regimen.

Your dentist should be able to recommend orthodontists.

^^None of that is relevant if you go with Invisalign.

Ok. Invisalign.

You'll be brushing or rinsing every time you eat or drink anything.
You have to keep them in for at least 21 hours a day.
You need to be religious about flossing.
You need a good system for cleaning the aligners during the day.
You'll have brackets on your teeth that are painful at first.
You'll need wax for the brackets.
You change trays every week or two and that can bring on pain and pressure.
Dogs love to find and eat them.
You might have other types of brackets and rubber bands.
You might talk funny.

Invisalign is not necessarily a better choice, especially for a kid.

I have two friends who chose invaslign for their ES-aged kids and both of them regret it. So many lost and broken trays.