Sad News!

[HugsForEeyore]

Just as a side note...does anyone else feel like they're using braces too much these days? It's an out for everything I think. Sometimes, yes, they are needed, but to just use them for vanity, etc. just seems way too common...perhaps it's just me.

I complete agree - EVERY kid has braces here. It is a mandatory fact of life. My ortho has a two million dollar mansion (and I am NOT kidding), so he gets plenty of clients! No matter how good a kid's teeth are, they need braces for absolute perfection, as nothing else will do. It is unfortunately very much a "class" thing now, and the bar is raised very high. I feel sad for any child growing up with poor-looking teeth that won't get braces, as a poor smile will be a lifelong disavantage (or until they get braces themselves as adults like I did). Before braces, I used to think my crooked teeth gave me "character" but finally wised up and got my teeth straightened. Best thing I ever did.

 

[Planogirl]

Our son has pretty straight teeth amazingly enough. Of course if his dentist ever suggests braces we'll go for them but he's 13 now so maybe we'll get lucky?

 

[kimis]

This may seem like a huge problem but it isn't. She will thank you when she is a teenager and her smile is beautiful. Yes braces are expensive but it is money worth spending (and no I am not a dentist!). I think it is good that the work is starting at 7 years old. It will be fixed sooner. SMILE

 

[Sandy22]

I'm surprised kids are getting braces so young. I've had 2 separate orthodontists tell me to wait until all of DS's adult teeth come in before getting braces. They both told me that putting them on now would just prolong the time in braces. Makes me wonder if kids getting braces that young is only of benefit to the orthodontist's bank account.

 

[MoniqueU]

My daughter knocked out 4 teeth 2 of them permanent in a scooter accident while wearing a helmet. I would welcome braces instead of this retainer and waiting game I have been playing for the last 3 years. It really gets tiresome not seeing any progress being made. I will evemtually have to pay cash for dental implants for the 2 teeth that are missing. Unless the cost comes down soon, I could buy a car for what I will end up spending on her teeth. But I will happily spend it and there will be no sadness for me. I can't imagine being sad or upset about braces and straight teeth. There are so many other worries out there.I would be thrilled for any of my kids to have braces.

 

[FreshTressa]

Our orthodontist wants both my kids - 7 and 8 - to get braces, but we decided to save money and wait.

DD has her adult teeth coming in behind baby ones too.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I'm surprised kids are getting braces so young. I've had 2 separate orthodontists tell me to wait until all of DS's adult teeth come in before getting braces. They both told me that putting them on now would just prolong the time in braces. Makes me wonder if kids getting braces that young is only of benefit to the orthodontist's bank account.

I swear around here, you are made to feel like a bad parent if you DON'T slap braces on your seven year old. The pressure is incredible to start your kid as soon as possible. And then these kids go for years and years with something in their mouths, usually until seventh or eighth grade. I guess everyone wants their kids to look good as soon as possible, can't blame 'em. Orthos won the war.

 

[Disney Doll]

It'll be as much or as little of a deal as you make it Mom!

My parents were pretty straightforward people, didn't allow for too much over-dramatization of things that did not need to be over-dramatized. Braces are a bit of a pain (literally and figuratively ) at times, but, in the long run, no biggie.

I had varying stages of braces from about age 11-18, and I am not permamnently psychologically scarred! Plus, I have pretty nice teeth now, instead of big buck teeth.

 

[goofy4tink]

There are some pretty good arguments for starting some things early. My dd had her palate expander in her mouth at the age of 6. On her very first dental appt, with the pedidontist who has no ortho practice or ties, we were told that dd had a very small mouth, that she was going to have to have braces. That was when she was 3! We started going to a new dentist, and he said the exact same thing...again, no ulterior motive. So, at 6 we went off to the orthodontist. The palate expander was put in, dd dealt with it. The reasoning was that the mouth/jaw are still relatively pliable at this age..more like cartiledge than real bone, so it's easier to 'mold' it. Then, because she lost baby teeth so early, we were able to get a jump on the actual braces, but only the top ones. Then those came off, and a retainer was worn until the remaining neccesary teeth fell out. When that previous set of full braces came off, I thought we were done. but no....seems there was still room for improvement. So, here we sit, age 13 (almost) looking at almost 6 months more of the darn things. Do I think the orthodontists have gotten overly aggressive in recent years? Yep....since more and more people have ortho benefits on their insurance, and parents want only the best for their children, the orthodontists are more than happy to keep our kids mouths full of metal. When this set of braces comes off, my dd's teeth will remain metal free for a very long time!!! Unless someone can really convince me that she needs even more.
Dd actually has a friend who said that she wanted braces since all the popular girls had them...can you imagine!! My poor dd says to her friend.."Well what's my excuse? I'm not popular and I've had a mouth full of metal for over 6 years now? So not cool!!" Poor baby....almost done.

 

[GJM]

I am sure my DS will need braces - I had them and my DH had them, (but didn't keep them on). I can't believe some are getting them at 7, my DS hasn't even had a tooth come out yet and he will be 7 in Dec.

My neices had the palate expander, I just don't get that, it sounds horrible.

When I had to get my braces they had to pull 2 top teeth, it wasn't bad at all, that gave my other teeth room to move. I am 42 now and have had no problems with my teeth. Why don't they pull teeth anymore?

 

[hentob]

I think braces are one of the nicest "vain" things that you can give to your child

I think a person is judged so much on their smile. Right or wrong, it is a fact. We should judge people on character and kindness, but try telling that to an interview committee or a prospective "first date".

Now, there is the occasional Laura Hutton or David Letterman that look fabulous with their less than perfect teeth. I do think it helps that their teeth are super white and they are great looking people to begin with. Doesn't the singer Jewel have an "off tooth" as well?

Regardless, I will gladly put braces on the teeth of my children if they need them. I think it is important to be proud of your smile

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I'm surprised kids are getting braces so young. I've had 2 separate orthodontists tell me to wait until all of DS's adult teeth come in before getting braces. They both told me that putting them on now would just prolong the time in braces. Makes me wonder if kids getting braces that young is only of benefit to the orthodontist's bank account.

My dd got braces at a young age because her bite was so bad, her teeth were horribly crooked, and she had a tongue thrust issue because of it. She was having speech issues and her speech therapist referred her to an orthodontist. That's why she got them at an early age. She should be out of the braces and just in a retainer by the time she's a teenager.

 

[DiszyDeanette]

Our son has pretty straight teeth amazingly enough. Of course if his dentist ever suggests braces we'll go for them but he's 13 now so maybe we'll get lucky?

Straight teeth aren't the whole picture, it only took a year and a half to straighten my teeth, it took an additional year to align my bite. Yum, rubber bands anybody??