Braces

[Rupyx]

Hi, my 14 year old has been recommended braces. She been seen by orthodontist and now has to decide whether to go ahead. She says she wants but I'm not sure how she will cope really, firstly 4 teeth need to extracted which is alot of teeth! If anyone can share experiences of their teenagers getting braces and teeth extraction...thankyou

Just go ahead with it

My teen is part way through orthodontic treatment and had 4 teeth out prior to starting. This was done at two appointments - two teeth extracted at each visit. He coped really well.

I also had 4 teeth out prior to having braces in my early 30s. Again 2 at each visit. I don't recall it being particularly unpleasant and was excited to be starting treatment. Personally having braces was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Good luck to your daughter!!

Honestly do it now while she's young.
I had the choice aged 13 and decided against because I'd need 4 teeth out due to overcrowding, I hated my smile throughout my teenage years and it really affected my confidence. I decided to fork out for braces aged 23 so that I'd have a nice smile in my wedding photos and god was it worth it but I really wished id just done it and got it over with in my teens.
They won't do all 4 teeth at once, usually 2 then 2, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. It will be worth it a couple of years down the line!

My DD is Galway through treatment. Tooth extraction was worse than she was expecting but she coped admirably.

If she wants to go ahead, I think you need to be supportive.

My DD had 5 teeth extracted - one was a milk tooth which hadn't come out naturally. She had it done in 2 sessions by our dentist before her orthodontic treatment could begin. She did not seem to find it too traumatic. The braces themselves took a little getting used to, eg she couldn't bite an apple, it needed cutting up. The treatment took 18 months in all, about 6 months less than anticipated. My DD wanted the treatment, it was her choice. As your teen will have to bear the discomfort it has to be her decision. She does have to want it herself. If in doubt wait a little.

Braces are 100% worth it. Not had teeth out but had braces age 24 as my teeth were slightly wonky and were getting worse as I was getting older. Best decision ever. Had them on a year and a half which is a long time and a lot of tightening appointments but it just makes you appreciate your teeth and wear your retainers after getting them off.

I know a couple of people that got braces as teenagers, couldn’t be bothered to wear retainers and their teeth have gone back, if not worse than they were before. So word of warning! 😂

Go for it. My DC all needed braces and it was well worth it. When it’s recommended it isn’t cosmetic, it’s to prevent future decay and jaw issues (even migraines) from wonky bites.

That’s a good point, I was never offered as a teenager. I asked and chose to do it as an adult which made me realise the importance so maybe waiting isn’t a bad thing.

My 14 yr old DS gets his braces off at the end of this month. He had 4 teeth extracted in January, braces fitted in February and will have completed by end of December - straight teeth for New Year!

He hasn't had any issues at all, he doesn't feel self conscious as nearly all his friends have braces and he can see how straight his teeth are.

It's so worth it to do when you're young!

I had braces as a teen about 30 years ago but I have no recollection of ever having a retainer and I certainly haven't worn one for the past 25 years at least! My teeth are still straight.

Encourage her to do it. They don't recommend to teens for fun. DS has his braces on just now, he's self-conscious about them in photos, but his previously wonky teeth are now straight, and he should be having the braces removed early in the year. Only had them for around 12 months so far. His gums were sore for the first few days and it did take a while to get used to them. His orthodontist stresses the importance in being meticulous in cleaning after every mealtime. The main issue was getting used to what he could and couldn't / shouldn't eat with them on though.

If he'd left them alone, his teeth would have been very difficult to clean properly and undoubtedly led to expensive dental bills as an adult. Which is exactly what has happened to me. With the lack of NHS dental services around the country, anything that reduces the likelihood of future problems is worth it.

1000% do it - my teen has just had his off and the results are amazing. He was so self conscious of his teeth before.

Discomfort for maybe 24 hours after extraction and braces put on but nothing a bit of paracetamol and a hug wouldn’t fix.

My 17yo is out of the other side of braces. 100% worthwhile and we would do it all again , even though Covid meant he wore them a lot longer than he had to. Also his ortho closed down and we had to travel a long way for the new one. His teeth now look amazing and he is really happy with them. Personally, I think the sooner the better.

My son is about to get them, though he’ll get Invisalign. At my practice, the cost is about the same.

are the extractions baby teeth? My son has had a few extractions, we’ve had to hold off on the braces until the adult teeth came in.

Please encourage her to do it.

I had terrible issues with my teeth, an overbite and a deviated jaw when I was a kid.

My parents refused to listen to advice from doctors to correct that. It has caused me endless issues as an adult.

My dd is wearing braces. She was told if she didn’t like the very wide ‘American’ smile she’d need extraction. She wouldn’t cope with this at all and they wouldn’t be able to do it due to her medical condition. Dd’s friends and my friend’s children have had extraction and braces. No regret.

Why would you not? Tonnes of kids have braces.

My DS1 (14, with ASD) has fixed braces and had to have 4 teeth out beforehand. He has managed it just fine and when I asked him if the teeth extraction was worse than the treatment he had for ingrown nails on his big toes, he said the feet were much much worse!!

As someone in their 40’s halfway through what will likely be 2 years (if not more due to some issues along the way!) I’d say go for it now!!

The issue aren’t brace related by the way just a problem tooth that has delayed getting the bottom braces on by a few months and the dilemma of root canal V extraction.

My DD is going through this at the minute and cannot wait for her braces after Christmas and needs 4 teeth out though she is getting 2 teeth out before Christmas and 2 teeth out after Christmas

If your daughter has been recommended them she must need it will be better for her in the long run I always wished I had them but when I was younger they weren't as pretty as they're now now lol

I had tooth extractions and braces as a teen, and all my DC have had braces. It's all worth it for the lovely smile at the end!

We are in the same situation but due to covid and our dental practice losing all their dentists she will be 16 when treatment starts. She is apprehensive but has decided to go ahead. Two teeth need to come out- one is a baby tooth that has no secondary one behind it so I’m hoping that will be easier than normal? I’m gently worrying about the fact she is doing her exams this year - is the pain of tightening significant or is it over within a day or so? Can you drop off the schedule and maybe not tighten them if it’s going to interfere with an event like an exam?

Teens are very accepting of braces. You need to be more positive as a parent though

@Cathpot just a day or so, and nothing that paracetamol won’t fix.

I'd 100% recommend. My son had quite a pronounced underbite and his teeth had grown at all angles - it was a mess. He had 4 teeth out and after about 18 months is due to have his braces removed. I honestly can't believe the difference, it's amazing & no need for invasive surgery. He's 15 & has coped really well.