Teenagers - braces - would you or wouldnt you?

[Scramblinghealingdreaming]

One of my teens has just had an appointment with an orthodontist.

My son is borderline needing braces but the orthodontist recommends he has them. But I really didnt feel that she took anything else into account such as his general health, anxiety levels, confidence, sports, the fact he plays a wind instrument etc.

Can anyone talk me through what it actually is like for their teen to have braces for a couple of years? We would have NHS ones so the silver ones.

When I asked what the repercussions would be of not having them till he is an adult (and could decide, chose invisible ones if desired), she didnt really have an answer. His teeth wont get any worse. They look fine and he is happy with his teeth.

He is currently between stage 2 and 3 of overbite.

PS I have made an appointment with my lovely dentist to follow this up (this is the dentist that referred us on pre-pandemic. At the time of referral it was very borderline as if he would need braces).

PPS last couple of times I have tried posting, I have got off topic pretty fighty replies which sadly does seem to be a bit standard. Just looking for good quality, kind replies. Not a squabble about unrelated items such as did we go in an electric vehicle.

To have braces privately is very expensive so if offered on nhs take it. Youngest ds only had them on for 18 months and if they offer them it is because they need them. Both my ds played sport and 1 a wind instrument and got on fine. It is a pain going back and forwards for appointments but in my experience well worth it.

I think that the "borderline" means "just about qualifies for NHS braces". That usually means more than just cosmetic and something that might go on to cause problems later on if left untreated.
I would (and have) jumped at the chance.
If you think that your DS really would have a problem now, maybe talk to your dentist again. I think it could always be done later but in all likelihood would take longer and you (or he) would have to pay.

Definitely would, especially if qualifies on NHS.
dd has had them for about 8 weeks, first tightening tomorrow. Initially she only ate soup and soft stuff for a couple of days but since then it’s been completely normal and I barely remember she’s got them. No drama at all. She didn’t have any pain or rubbing. Others at school have them. It has also meant she stopped biting her nails which she is really pleased about and has upped her game with the cleaning.

Due to having a wisdom tooth removed in my late 30s and my teeth subsequently moving, I have had to have braces in my 40s, lol! It has been quite an eye-opener.

The cost is absolutely eye-watering so bear that in mind if you are considering waiting till he's an adult. They are uncomfortable especially for the first few weeks and after each tweaking. Eating can be a pain as food inevitably gets stuck in braces and isn't very attractive. If you need elastics, it gets even more tricky! I've had them for about 5 months now and am used to them but definitely don't like them, probably to do with my age! My dd2 had braces too, had them out a few weeks before I had mine put in and didn't complain nearly as much as me! She did feel self-conscious with them on but she wasn't alone and once her treatment was finished, she was happy with the result.

@Scramblinghealingdreaming you mention he is borderline, is Invisalign a possibility? My gut feeling on this is that unless he has severe anxiety, I would go ahead and get this done rather than wait. If he feels self-conscious and you can afford it, pay for the 'invisible' ones. Mine are and yes they are much less noticiable.

Thank you all so much. Massively productive and helpful responses.

And a lot to consider. Thank you for the reflections as adults as well. That's really insightful.

When I say borderline, I mean the dentist has to go get another one to sign off because she didn't feel confident to put him through as NHS case.

I also feel a huge responsibility taking much needed NHS cash if it isn't a necessary intervention. Just because the NHS pay and it is free to us at source, it doesn't mean it's actually 'free'.

We have a private dentist and very good NHS GP and am used to discussing the benefits of any intervention as well as the long term consequences.

This NHS orthodontist clearly wasn't interested in discussing my sons needs at all. I came away quite shocked.

Thanks all.

Its my understanding that it is better to have them when youre still growing as the teeth can move in the jaw easier than than when we have stopped growing and therefore will take longer

I had braces as a teenager. Top and bottom. I didnt really need them but bottom teeth were a
Little bit crooked and top slight over bite

I love my teeth now. So straight. Only had them on about 19 months as a teen

Just on the "plays a wind instrument" thing - I sat (and passed) my grade 8 flute exam while my brace (fixed top and bottom) was in. It took me a few weeks to adjust once the braces were fitted, but it was fine.

I had braces at 12, sporty kid, didn’t want them, but my mum made me. Beyond grateful. My husband has recently had Invisalign at a cost of £3500, in his 30’s, after years of feeling self conscious. He should absolutely have them now.

My dd had the silver wire and bracket braces from ages 16-18. Her teeth were not horrible before, but after they look so much nicer, and her bite is so much easier on her jaw.

She plays flute and piccolo, and it was initially a struggle until her lips toughened up. It didn't seem like it bothered her much for more than a couple weeks.

As far as the home-care aspect of them, I so thoroughly frightened her (I am in dentistry) by showing her pictures of gingival overgrowth etc. caused by lack of oral hygiene with braces on that she was absolutely perfect with it. She was obsessed with brushing and flossing.

All in all, we had a fairly positive experience with minor correction with 18 months of braces.

Seriously though, I can't believe you used petrol to get there. That's the shocking part. Do you not think of your footprint?

I wish I'd listened to the dentist when I was a teenager and had braces on the NHS when they were free. I wasn't bothered by them as a teenager but as an adult they got worse and worse until eventually at age 30 I had them done privately before my wedding. It's honestly the best thing I ever did for my health.
I spent most of my twenties feeling insecure about my teeth and wished my mum had insisted that I have braces when I was younger.

I had braces between 11-13. During that time, I learnt to play both flute and clarinet and became good enough for the school band! No issues I recall at all.

Yes, there were annoying points, pain, wires, appointments and raw gums at stages, BUT, I'd prefer that to over 80+yrs of wonky teeth, overbites etc.

I recall someone on here saying their teeth didn't meet properly and they couldn't cut cellotape with them. Obviously, this is far from a life skill, but not being able to meet your teeth together and actually eat and talk properly (even if not actually obvious) its a no brainer to get them corrected!

I think my DD is in a similar 'borderline' boat ie referred by dentist to NHS orthodontist and they have said it's 'up to us' She would need surgery to remove a bit of gum and then braces and I feel so reluctant to put her through it. Her teeth have a gap at the front which I think is cute and doesn't seem to bother her so far. I keep saying thinking it didn't hurt Jade Jagger to have a gap.
My teeth aren't perfect and have a bit of an overbite but I was never offered braces and I am fine with my teeth.
I feel as though surely it can't be necessary all the people getting braces these days. There was only 1 girl with train track braces in my school year and she got teased (not by me she was my friend) and it looked painful and a bit yucky with all the food getting stuck etc to me I'm afraid.
I feel like people are all wanting perfect 'Hollywood' teeth and I don't want to buy into that ideal

But I also recognise that I might be being unreasonable.
I feel a lot of angst about the decisions. I told DD I would support her if she wanted it done but she said no so far.

Ds had braces. Played a brass instrument. Played contact sport. All fine.

I'm glad he had them, I didn't with the same tooth problems and I've regretted it for the rest of my life

I was told mine were borderline as a teenager. They got worse. I had to spend 5k fixing them as an adult- god I wish I'd just done it as a teenager!!

Ds has braces. Tbh, it’s been a bit of a nightmare - they were Fitted just before the first lockdown. He was also boarderline for needing them, the dentist (Our dentist also does orthodontist work) advised getting them done as ‘there might not be the budget next year’, so we went for it. I’d push my other dc to have braces in the same circumstances in the future if it arose. I know adults who hate their teeth as they aren’t straight and know adults who have paid thousands to have ortho work done, so if there is the chance to get it done on the NHS as a child, I’d be jumping at it. I also think it’s much harder to get to appointments as an adult. I’m self employed so any time I’m not working, I’m not paid and It wouldn’t be taken well if dh had to have time off every six weeks for A couple of years for cosmetic dentistry work. Time out of school (normally at the end of the school day) or in the school holidays is far easier to manage.

Get them. Be the parent your son needs and get it done.

OP how old is your dc?

To a pp, what are block braces please?

I had a retainer at age 10 for about a year and still have straight teeth more than 30 years later. My brother had to have train tracks for about 2 years and his teeth are still not straight all these years later.

Dd1 is lucky to only have one slightly wonky front tooth so doesn't need any orthodontistry. Dd2 has an overbite like me and we are currently waiting for a referral for hee. She is only 9.5 years old though, but has nearly all her adult teeth already (bar one). Just trying to work out if she would get a retainer or train track type braces 🤔

Definitely get them done. All sorts of reasons including better dents health and confidence, but also straight v unstraight teeth is a real social class divide. That might never be important but in some parts of the adult world it is.

An overbite can be bad and cause self consciousness as an adult. The thread hold for NHS treatment is very very high so frankly your sons teeth will really need doing to qualify. I'd get it done when you still qualify for the NHS as adults don't.

@Meredusoleil I mentioned the block braces - here’s a link with pics: www.infinitysmiles.co.uk/treatment/twin-block-appliance/

They’re detachable plastic braces with wires that fit on both the top of your mouth and bottom half, separately, but there are plastic “blocks” that kind of only allow your mouth to fit closed properly if your lower jaw is brought forwards. Basically you can’t close your mouth properly unless you bring your lower jaw forwards. It makes the lower jaw actually grow a bit bigger I think, and changes all the muscles. So it corrects the overbite by bringing lower jaw forwards and slightly resizing lower jaw, rather than relying on pulling the top teeth back.
It’s quite tricky to get used to initially, as it takes up loads of space in the mouth and is right in the way. But after a few days of it feeling really weird, my son just got the hang of it, and got used to it. It can be removed for meals though it helps if you can eat some with it in as that really helps the muscles adjust and helps it work better. We were all done with it in just under 6 months and it was v v effective. So something of a PITA but works great and my sample of one got used to it quickly enough.

DD1 had a removable brace with a spring to push her tooth forward - her roots were too short for fixed braces.

DD2 has an underbite and impacted canines, with a twisted third tooth because of it. She had the canines and 2 lower teeth removed and has fixed braces. They're really moving nicely and her smile is already amazing. She's about half way through at 1 year.

I played the Oboe and had train track braces. I think it was a bit hard in the beginning to adjust (lips had to curl over more than just teeth and it was a bit sore right in the beginning. Bon-gella (or whatever that mouth numbing tell was called) helped. I played in a selective orchestra abd ended up later with Grade 8 distinction so it wasn't too bad.

The biggest issue was I got headaches for a day or two after the braces were tightened. Also found it hard to eat hard things those days. Braces weren't fun but the alternative was far worse!!

[quote Talipesmum]@Meredusoleil I mentioned the block braces - here’s a link with pics: www.infinitysmiles.co.uk/treatment/twin-block-appliance/

They’re detachable plastic braces with wires that fit on both the top of your mouth and bottom half, separately, but there are plastic “blocks” that kind of only allow your mouth to fit closed properly if your lower jaw is brought forwards. Basically you can’t close your mouth properly unless you bring your lower jaw forwards. It makes the lower jaw actually grow a bit bigger I think, and changes all the muscles. So it corrects the overbite by bringing lower jaw forwards and slightly resizing lower jaw, rather than relying on pulling the top teeth back.
It’s quite tricky to get used to initially, as it takes up loads of space in the mouth and is right in the way. But after a few days of it feeling really weird, my son just got the hang of it, and got used to it. It can be removed for meals though it helps if you can eat some with it in as that really helps the muscles adjust and helps it work better. We were all done with it in just under 6 months and it was v v effective. So something of a PITA but works great and my sample of one got used to it quickly enough.[/quote]
Thanks for your reply. That's really useful as don't think they were around back in my day 😊 Did your ds get them for free on the NHS?

The dentist said my dd2 had an overbite and something else starting with over I think it was, but can't remember what exactly 🤦🏻‍♀️ Would love for her to be finished in 6 months!

@ShitShop

Two of mine have had braces. One was desperately in need of them. The other had a couple too many teeth so had them removed and braces afterwards, but I wouldn’t have said he needed them from looking at him

The biggest thing is the time for appointments - every 6-8 weeks for 2-3, even 4 years - for 2 of them! I feel like I bloody live at the orthodontist! If you go private you may get after school appointments but as mine were NHS I had to take whatever they offered so usually within school hours.

For them, there was some discomfort when they change the wires for a couple of days, and having to brush them very thoroughly twice a day without fail to avoid permanent discolouration - but of course they should be doing that anyway!

They will also have to wear a retainer at night after the treatment is finished - presumably for life - to stop the teeth moving back again. So it’s a big commitment for your DS if he does have them done.

TBH if they’re borderline then I don’t think I would bother. In fact my eldest was borderline and didn’t have them, but that was more his choice than mine.

Sorry OP I am going off topic but wanted to say to @ShitShop that I had top and bottom fixed braces for a year when I was 12. I then had a plastic retainer (like a very thin gum guard) which I had to wear in the evenings and overnight. I did that for four years, then stopped because I got to 17 and had a serious boyfriend who I occasionally slept over with. I was v conscientious about wearing it for the four years I did though (my orthodontist told me most people don't bother and their teeth slip back), and I'm now 35 and my teeth are still perfectly straight. You don't have to wear a retainer for life!

OP, I played the flute and did get upset when my braces were fitted as it made it hard to play at first. I am very grateful I had the braces though because I really love my teeth and have had comments on how nice they are all my life!