The Appearance of Braces for Your Child: The Rising Trend of Braces!

Posted on: October 2nd, 2018 by freshadmin No Comments

Once upon a time, braces were seen as highly unfashionable and maybe even unpleasant. Now they are so common, and there are so many new options available, that they have actually become quite trendy!

Here we discuss the aesthetics of braces and the options available to your child.

What will my child look like with the braces in?

One of the most popular options with children and teenagers (and sometimes adults!) is the ceramic straight wire brace, which allows the patient to choose what colour elastics we use. Pink, yellow, red, blue – choosing the colour makes the treatment a little bit more fun.

The brace is worn full time. We only remove it once the treatment is complete, so you won’t have to worry about taking it in and out.

We may tell you that your child needs to wear elastics between their top and bottom teeth as well. If this is the case, you will need to make sure that they do, as otherwise the correction of the teeth and the bite will not progress as required. This means that the treatment may take much longer, and the result may not be as good as expected.

Will fixed braces affect my child’s gums?

Children’s gums are thicker, healthier and stronger than adults’, so we don’t tend to see any issues related to gums. There are two complications to be aware of, but even these are very rare. The first is called devitalisation, which is where the nerve of the tooth dies. If this does occur it’s usually because the child has fallen over, is hit in the face by a ball, is play fighting, or has had a sudden, harsh impact to the tooth.

The other is root resorption, which is when the root of the tooth becomes shorter. This tends to happen with more severe corrections that take a long time. If we feel that your child is at risk of this, from x-rays we have taken, or if it happens unexpectedly, we would communicate this to you and your child and develop an aftercare plan.

As mentioned, both of these complications are very rare, but it’s important that you know all the facts when choosing the right treatment for your child.

You can contact us HERE for a FREE consultation to discuss the options available for your child.

Back To School in Nottingham: How To Care For Your Braces

Posted on: September 30th, 2015 by freshadmin No Comments

 

With September comes the beginning of another school year in Nottingham. While most school children are still reminiscing about their summer and occupying themselves with preparations for another busy year, some may also be worrying about taking care of their new set of braces. This can be a frustrating addition to the already long list of stresses that come with being a teenager.

To make it easier, the team here at Straight Teeth Suite have pulled together a simple list of essential tips for you to follow in order to properly take care of your braces during term time:

Create your very own “Brace bag” Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, rubber bands and more. Braces come with a lot of accessories, which is why it’s important to keep organised. Designating a home for all your brace care essentials will help you locate everything you need easily, as well as remind you to brush, floss and change your rubber bands.  

Regular brushing. With braces, it’s important to make brushing a priority. Braces make it easy for food to get stuck in the small corners and crevices of your mouth, which means bacteria can linger on your teeth. Taking some time after eating to brush and floss your teeth can prevent bacteria from infecting your gums and keep your teeth healthy and clean throughout your treatment.

Avoid tricky foods. Although it may be tempting to chew a piece of gum or grab a handful of popcorn while at the cinema with friends, it’s important to stay clear of the foods that will damage your braces. Sticky and hard foods can cause a number of problems and may even end up prolonging your treatment, so be sure to refrain and keep in mind that you can reward yourself once the treatment is complete!  

Check for extra protection. Depending on the circumstances, it’s important that you let your dentist know if you play any kind of sport or take part in heavy activity regularly. It is important to speak with your dentist to determine whether it is necessary for you to wear a mouthguard during PE or after school athletics programmes.

Smile! Braces are something you should be proud of! They symbolise the smile that you will soon have! Show them off and smile as much as you can, in and around school. Getting braces is an exciting experience and the results will be more than worth it!

Straight Teeth Suite is here to provide Nottingham students with a brighter smile. Contact us in our Nottingham practice today for more information on how we can help you achieve a healthy and happy smile.