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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

Do I push my 12 yo to have braces?

64 replies

WalkingSense · 14/03/2017 08:10

My 12 yo son has just seen the orthodontist. His canines are much higher up than the rest of his front teeth, and his bottom front teeth are seriously wonky. But, as not a single one is more than 4mm out of line (3 mm in 2 places doesn't count) it's not on the NHS. My son doesn't see the point: all that effort and who needs a beautiful smile? And his teeth may get decay earlier, but hey, they may not. I think most people nowadays do have beautiful smiles, and he doesn't realise people judge you for this. Besides, it's not just 1 wonky tooth, these canines really define his smile. Do I make it compulsory? How to convince him? Or is it just not important?

OP posts:

chloesmumtoo · 18/03/2017 13:37

I would not force him. Braces have to be looked after and if not committed he may not take care of them as he should.
My dd is needing braces and desperately wants them but has had to wait until now (she is in year 10) and wont get them on until September by Nhs.
I am sure as all his mates start getting them he will become more keen but I think he has to make that decision. Especially when they can cause so much pain. It is obviously not too necessary else it would be being done on the Nhs so I tend to think his teeth his choice.
Also if I forced a child and things went wrong, as they can, I personally would regret this and feel really bad about it.

Bensyster · 18/03/2017 16:16

Also about the expense being the same at both times, again, as it takes longer to move more established teeth treatment time can just end up being longer, and costing more in appointments.

The price is the same here whether your braces are on for three years or one year and you get an appointment every 6 weeks - I believe this is standard. Our dentist charges £1700 for under 18's who do not qualify for NHS treatment and £3500 for adults, doesn't matter how long it takes - although if you don't look after your teeth or continually break your braces they will refuse to continue with the treatment.

DD will only have her braces on for about 14 months, DS - private funded, will be closer to two years. Barring the first fitting, subsequent tightenings haven't been as painful as they expected given the degree of complaints from their peers.

Fairyflaps · 19/03/2017 15:48

Have you and your DS asked the orthodontist what the implications of leaving it for a year or two - or even longer?

My DS is starting getting his braces + 4 extractions in a couple of months time (luckily it's on the NHS as his teeth are very crooked). He's very self conscious about them and it's years since he smiled with his mouth open. He was given some choice in when he started the treatment, including waiting until he started secondary school if he wanted.

He has also had a long talk with the orthodontist about his responsibilities when he has the braces fitted - mainly the need for regular and thorough toothbrushing. If he doesn't take good care of his teeth while wearing braces, there is a risk that his teeth will be permanently discoloured and at an increased risk of decay.

If your son is not fully on board, and especially if he is at an age where he doesn't care about his appearance, or is going through the soap dodging phase, that would be an argument against starting the braces now. But you and he should make that decision in full possession of the implications.

tovelitime · 19/03/2017 21:54

I didn't give my DS the choice, he didn't qualify for NHS treatment but we took the decision to pay because we felt it was in his interest and he has the most wonderful teeth. DD needs braces, there's no doscssion, her teeth are awful. Neither of my kids have raised any objection, it's just something they see as something that most people have done. Those children we know without braces are in the minority. It's almost like something you just do

mumontherun14 · 20/03/2017 18:32

Yes. I would. My 12 yr old DS has also been referred for them but he is quite keen to get them. He plays football and likes his sporty gear and his hair to be just right so he is keen to get the braces. Loads of his friends have them -it's no big deal and I feel he will be glad of it in a few years time.

Hotheadwheresthecoldbath · 21/03/2017 00:18

DD and many of her friends have them.She has not found them uncomfortable or painful.At each step(twin blocks and braces)the orthodontist made sure that she really wanted to go ahead as it is a big commitment with changed diet and thorough cleaning.Were hoping she will not need extractions (over crowding and compaction)and it is looking better all the time.

Pallisers · 21/03/2017 00:41

I didn't even give my 12 year olds (or my 13 or 14 year olds) the option. They got braces - end of. It was kind of just below vaccinations for me - I was going to launch my kids healthy, educated and with decent teeth.

I did compromise a bit as we went on -- one early removal - depending on the level of commitment to teeth cleaning - (but that was only one child)

I am currently trying to correct my teeth (age nearly 50) because my braces were taken off too early back in the 70s. and my sister has also funded her own braces at similar age.

This is a gift for his future. At 12 he is incapable of understanding what this is.

sniffle12 · 21/03/2017 00:41

I really didn't want them, we had a blazing row in the orthodontist's waiting room as I recall! But I'm so glad my mum pushed me into it, I actually really like my teeth now and it has saved me £1000s on the private treatment I would have inevitably wanted once I got older if I hadn't had it done.

Bitchycocktailwaitress · 21/03/2017 01:18

Mine cost me over £3K, but my dad paid as he understood it should have been done earlier

LorLorr2 · 21/03/2017 01:38

He will thank you and be glad when he's older- I promise you that! It might feel harsh to force him now but keep that end result in mind. 12 is quite young to have them in my opinion, but in a couple of years he's guaranteed to have peers wearing braces so it'll feel way more normal.

gluteustothemaximus · 21/03/2017 01:51

Definitely encourage/push! I desperately wanted braces but 'mother knew best' and said no.

I still have shit wonky teeth, and no money to change them. I rarely smile in photos.

It's not the end of the world in terms of problems, but I do wish I had them done like all my friends did at the time

RiverdaleJughead · 21/03/2017 02:19

Push push push. I know so many people in their 20s and 30s who regret not getting their braces and HATE their teeth. He'll be so self conscious when he gets older especially as the older generations die off (sorry sounds awful) and my gen (22) and under grow up as we've nearly all had braces. Plus that winning style will help both with the ladies ( or gents) and with coming across as personable and friendly at interviews and in jobs etc. Shallow but true.

RiverdaleJughead · 21/03/2017 02:19

Plus I'm so glad I had mine at 14-16 unlike friends who had to get them in uni

OvO · 21/03/2017 02:59

I didn't even talk to my DS's as if there was a choice.

That sounds bad. I didn't bully or get tough about it, it was always just spoken about as a done deal if the dentist said they needed braces.

My 12 year old's teeth actually straightened out themselves so he's so far escaped braces but my 9 year old hasn't been so lucky!

OP, I'd definitely strongly encourage your ds, maybe try to work through what it is that's putting him off?

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