When Do Kids Need Braces?

Some kids can’t wait to get their braces, seeing them as a sign that adolescence and adulthood can’t be far behind. Others are a little worried about what they’ll be like or how they’ll look. How your child feels, you probably have some questions and concerns of your own (not the least of which may be how you’re going to pay for them!). Here’s the lowdown on kids and braces.


Why Kids Need Braces

Kids can need braces for any number of reasons, including crooked, overlapping, or overcrowded teeth, or a “bad bite” (known as malocclusion). Malocclusion is a discrepancy in the sizes of the top and bottom jaws. When the upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw, it’s called an overbite. When the lower jaw is bigger, it’s called an underbite.
Sometimes tooth and jaw problems can be caused by tooth decay, losing baby teeth too soon, accidents, or habits like thumb sucking. But often they’re inherited, so if you or someone in your family needed braces, it’s likely that your kids will, too.
Often, your child’s dentist will be the first to notice problems during a regular visit and recommend that you see an orthodontist (a dentist who specializes in correcting jaw and/or teeth alignment problems). The orthodontist can determine whether your child does indeed need braces and which types of devices would be best.

There’s no set age for a first orthodontist visit — some kids go when they’re 6, some kids go when they’re 10, and some go while they’re teens. Even adults can receive orthodontic treatment. Many orthodontists say kids should see an orthodontist once their permanent teeth start coming in, around age 7. At this age, issues such as uneven bite and overcrowding will become apparent. Starting the process early doesn’t mean a child will get braces right away. It just means the orthodontist will be able to determine which problems exist and assess the best time to start treatment.

If you would like to receive a complimentary exam from our office, call  801.731.4850 today! We look forward to helping you achieve the beautiful smile you deserve!

Meet Dr. Richards

 

Just like Farr West Orthodontics loves their patients, we also love our doctor! Because let's face it, his knowledge is the reason behind our great smiles!  So we thought it would be fun to introduce you a little better to our great orthodontist Dr. Richards!

Dr. Richards graduated Magna Cum Laude from the College of Science at Weber State University. He then received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Ohio State University. He was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society & was honored as one of top 10 percent of his dental class. After graduating from dental school, he spent an additional thirty-three months training under some of the most well-known & published orthodontists in the world. Upon completion of his residency at Ohio State University he received his Masters of Science and certificate in the specialty of orthodontics. He is also board eligible by the American Board of Orthodontics.

Dr. Richards is from Pleasant View, Utah. After serving a two year mission to Haiti, he married his high school sweetheart, Candice, & together they have three beautiful children. His family is grateful to be living in Utah surrounded by friends and family. Dr. Richards loves spending time with his family, fly-fishing, shotgun shooting, water skiing, mountain biking, snow skiing & cooking. His favorite thing about his job is interacting with patients & their families. He loves getting to know them & see patients begin smiling more as they gain dental confidence.

How to Take Care of Your Invisalign Retainers

 

So you have embarked on an orthodontic journey known as Invisalign, and you’ve been given a series of clear retainers that will guide your teeth into perfection. Caring for these Invisalign retainers is paramount in order to obtain the best results and avoid costly replacement retainers.

 

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: Five to 10 Minutes

What You Need

• Toothbrush or retainer brush
• Retainer cleaner or denture cleaner
• Toothpaste

Here’s How:

1. Remove the Invisalign retainer from your mouth and rinse it under tepid water. Tepid water is neither too hot, nor too cold.
2. Apply toothpaste to a soft-bristled toothbrush or retainer brush. Using small circular motions, gently brush the entire retainer, both inside and out. Once you have completely brushed the Invisalign retainer, rinse the retainer again under tepid water.
3. Inspect the retainer for any calcium build-up. Like your teeth, retainers are susceptible to tartar (calculus) build-up. Calcium build-up appears as a cloudy white film on the retainer that is hard to remove with a toothbrush.If you notice any calcium build-up, soak the retainer in a denture or retainer cleaning solution as instructed on the package. The Invisalign website sells a cleaning product designed specifically for Invisalign retainer called the “Invisalign Cleaning System”.
4. Once you have completed cleaning your Invisalign retainer, you can place it back into your mouth.

Tips:

1. Do not soak your clear Invisalign retainers in mouthwash. Because most mouthwashes contain a color pigment, the resin material may pick up the color from the mouthwash, leaving you with tinted retainers.
2. Clean your retainers each time you brush your teeth. Any plaque or food particles that are trapped inside the retainer will also sit on your teeth, potentially causing the decay process to begin.
3. It is important to note that because Invisalign retainers are constructed from a resin (plastic), you should avoid using warm or hot water. Water that is too warm can distort the retainers, causing them to become ill-fitted. If you have used warm or hot water in the past, bring the retainer to your dentist to ensure that it still fits correctly.
4. When you are instructed to move on to the next set of retainers, it is advisable to thoroughly clean the previous retainer and store it in its case. There are instances where patients are required to wear a previous retainer. Ensuring it is clean and bacteria-free will help eliminate any odor and residue left on the retainer.