Children, particularly teens, can tend to be self-conscious about their appearance, and embarrassment about misaligned teeth can have a big impact as their confidence levels decrease. Braces provide the solution to this problem by fixing issues with speaking, eating and smiling by correcting crowded or crooked teeth, which will also avoid potential dental health problems in the future.

If you are a teen that has braces now or have been told by your dentist that you could benefit from orthodontic treatment, you are not alone. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 make up more than half of the two-million orthodontic cases in the U.S. each year.

When it comes to providing proper dental care for growing kids, deciding when to see the orthodontist can be a big step. While most referrals come at the advisement of a family dentist, sometimes parents must decide whether or not their child is ready. In addition, parents must sort through all the different reasons for seeking orthodontic treatment.

According to the most recent census, over 4 million children in the U.S. have some type of disability. Disabilities range from the physical to the neurological and come in many different levels of severity. Some of these children attend special education classes, while others are mainstreamed.

Orthodontics can play a key role in children’s health and appearance. The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) advises parents that kids should first visit an orthodontist for an examination by the time they’re seven. This recommendation is based on the fact that at about this age, the first set of permanent molars and some of the adult front teeth should have appeared.

Plenty of parents are unaware of the fact that their little ones should visit with a pediatric dentist. There is a common misconception that kids do not require as much dental care as adults. In some cases, parents assume kids can visit with a regular dentist as opposed to a pediatric dentist. Below, we explain why it is so important for kids to see a pediatric dentist.

Imagine this…. You've taken your child to the dentist and the dentist wants to get x-rays of your child's teeth. You can't answer right away because you have questions. Aren't x-rays dangerous? Dental x-rays have many benefits. As an adult, you may have had x-rays taken at the dentist to find cavities, check on impacted wisdom teeth, or plan for an implant. However, you're an adult. You wonder if x-rays are safe for a much smaller person.

Although baby teeth will eventually fall out of their own accord, they still play a crucial role in your child’s dental health. Restorative dentistry for kids is aimed at preventing or treating diseases of baby teeth to return them to their best health, in order to pave the way for adult teeth. It also includes replacement or repair of damaged or defective teeth.

Invisalign Teen is a special custom-made, clear aligner tray for the upper or lower teeth that can be changed every 2 to 10 weeks, depending on the severity of misalignment. Usually, treatment with Invisalign Teen lasts between 6 to 18 months. The clear trays are similar to dental retainers that are designed to keep the teeth from moving after they’ve been aligned.

Modern orthodontic treatment has never been easier, more effective or more comfortable, but despite this, it does still require commitment, especially as your child is likely to be wearing braces for quite some time to come.