Braces in Vancouver are a part of many people’s childhood. Being able to correct teeth placement early can help prevent many more dental issues from occurring in the long run. This is why it is advisable to get children checked by orthodontists and determine whether they are already good candidates for braces in Vancouver.

From 3 to 6 years old, parents should watch for early signs that their children will need to get braces. Some tell-tale signs include the presence of an underbite, lower jaw protruding forward, difficulty in completely closing the mouth, thumb sucking habits, and habitually pushing the tongue forward. Bad oral habits during these ages can prevent new teeth from growing properly, hence the possibility of the child suffering from teeth misalignment.

From 6 to 12 years old, parents should start talking to their pediatric dentists to find out if their children can already get braces. During these ages, adult teeth will already start to replace milk teeth. This is the best time to correct the formation of teeth because the jaw is still developing and can still be properly guided with the right orthodontic strategies. Additionally, kids are already old enough to properly care for their teeth when they get braces.

From age 12 and above, children can already get the benefits of full braces. There are other options for correcting crowding and gaps, such as Invisalign.

Invisalign makes use of clear aligners that are meant to be worn on the teeth like mouth guards. These clear aligners are worn for at least 20 hours a day. Every two weeks, they are replaced with a new set.

Invisalign can be a good option for older kids and teenagers because the aligners can be easily removed. This makes it easier to brush the teeth. Active teenagers and kids also don’t have to worry about the effects of braces when they are engaging in contact sports.

The aligners are made from a soft plastic material, so they are not as painful to use as braces. Kids might have a shorter adjustment period. However, Invisalign may only treat mild to moderate teeth misalignment issues.

It’s important for parents to bring their children to dental clinics such as Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics every 6 months. This will allow dentists to monitor the condition of the child’s teeth and catch early signs that might indicate that the child needs orthodontic treatment. Early intervention can prevent more serious dental health issues from emerging in the future and may also correct facial structure.