Types Of Braces

For many people, the thought of braces conjures up eighth or ninth-grade days when their attempts to obtain a nice smile earned them titles such as “brace face” or “metal mouth.” However, this unfortunate side effect of braces is now becoming more and more obsolete as additional types of braces have emerged on the market and as more people have turned to orthodontics to improve their smiles. Continue reading to learn more about what types of braces are available to you.

Traditional Braces

Traditional braces, synonymously known as metal braces, are the most common type of braces. These kinds of braces have been a way for people to achieve a straight smile for over 100 years. Using wires and elastic ties, braces slowly shift your teeth over a specific time period. However, as previously mentioned, traditional braces have not always been aesthetically pleasing or, very comfortable, for that matter. Luckily, over time traditional braces have had innovations that have made them smaller, more effective, and more comfortable. So traditional braces are still an excellent choice for straightening your teeth.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are very similar to traditional braces but are much less visible than metal braces. Ceramic braces are made of a clear or tooth-colored material that more easily blends in with your teeth. Ceramic braces are a great alternative to traditional braces, as they can be more discreet and inexpensive, but it is important to keep in mind that they are slightly larger than metal braces and they can cause stains, depending on your brushing and eating habits.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners, otherwise known as Invisalign, are excellent options for people who do not want to have all sorts of wires and bands restricting their teeth or who want to find a less noticeable option. Clear aligners look similar to retainers or mouth guards, except they are completely clear and adhere to your teeth, so you don’t even see them. Clear aligners are great for simple problems such as misaligned teeth, small overbites, or gaps. Clear aligners are a great option for people who prefer a removable option, a clear option, and want fewer appointments.

Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces are similar to both traditional braces in that they use wires to move the teeth. They are available in metal or clear or ceramic material, but they are different from metal and ceramic braces in that they use doors and clips to hold the wires in place, instead of rubber bands. Self-ligating braces are easy to adjust and are also usually fairly comfortable to wear in comparison to other types of braces.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are the least common type of braces on the market. Lingual braces are a pretty interesting option because they actually sit on the back of a person’s teeth. They are completely invisible and can be customized to fit different people’s needs. It is important to note that certain problems might accompany lingual braces such as a change in speech or irritation to the top of the mouth or the tongue. Lingual braces are pretty rare due to being relatively new to the market, but if you are interested in getting them, speak with your orthodontist to learn what lingual brace options they have.

Are You Looking For New Braces?

If you are in need of braces, we at Pobanz Orthodontics are at your service. Clearly, there are many different types of braces available out there and it can be difficult to choose which ones are best for your situation. Luckily, we at Pobanz Orthodontics can help educate you and help you make a choice that will be most beneficial for you. Our team is talented, experienced, and professional, meaning that we will take care of you every step of the way. For more information about braces or about our company, feel free to reach out to us today.

Caring for your children’s dental health is an essential part of protecting and improving their overall well-being. There are many things that need to be done in order to improve your children’s dental health, including seeing a qualified and experienced dentist. However, if you continue reading you can learn more about why dental health care is important for your kids and about how you can help foster good oral health habits.

Why Is Children’s Dental Health Important?

There are several reasons why taking care of your children’s dental health is important. Firstly, setting up good habits early in life can help a person continue taking care of their oral health throughout their mouth. There are also certain types of dental problems that children are more likely to develop than adults and encouraging good oral health habits can help prevent these issues.

Promote Good Oral Hygiene

The first way to improve your kids’ dental health is to make sure that they keep up with their oral hygiene. You need to make sure that your kids are flossing once a day, brushing their teeth twice a day or after every meal, and using mouthwash. These at-home cleanings ensure that your children’s teeth will be protected from cavities and other problems. Cleaning your kids’ teeth every day will also make sure that they have good-smelling breath and no food stuck in their teeth.

See The Dentist

The next important thing that is important for children’s dental health is staying up to date with dental appointments. While it is important to go to the dentist as an adult, it is crucial for children to not miss their dental appointments for many reasons. Kids’ teeth are new and more susceptible to cavities, especially if they eat a lot of candy or other sugary foods. Seeing the dentist on a regular basis can help prevent tooth decay and maintain your kids’ oral health. 

Offer Healthy Options To Eat

One way you can actively improve and maintain your children’s dental health is to offer healthy options for them to eat. As previously mentioned, sugary treats and drinks aren’t the best things for kids to eat to improve their dental health. However, as long as you are offsetting and minimizing sugary things as much as possible, your kids will be just fine. Having a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, meat, grains, dairy, and water is important for maintaining your kids’ oral health.

Consult Orthodontists

As your kids get older, the next thing that you will need to take care of is the alignment of their teeth. Contacting an orthodontist is the best way to ensure that your kids’ teeth are growing in correctly and will continue to work properly in their current positions even with wisdom teeth coming in. The American Association Of Orthodontists suggests that kids see an orthodontist around age 7-8 (or when their adult teeth have come in) in order to detect orthodontic issues early on.

Are You In Need Of Dental Health Services?

If you are in need of oral health services, feel free to reach out to us at Pobanz Orthodontics today. We provide orthodontic-specific services including braces, Invisalign, and more. We provide orthodontic options for all sorts of different people, including children. Our team is talented, experienced, and knowledgeable, meaning that we will be able to provide you with premium dental care. For more information, feel free to reach out to us at Pobanz Orthodontics today.