What Should I Do If My Child Doesn't Want Braces?

What do I do if my child doesn’t want braces?

While many children are excited to have straight teeth, it’s easy to forget that not everyone will be onboard with the idea of orthodontics. 

If your child needs braces but doesn’t want them, all is not lost. Talking to them about their orthodontic treatment can help. 

Give them a choice

It’s normal for teenagers to start to exert more control over their lives. Giving them a choice in whether they get braces or what that looks like, can help them feel like they have some agency in the decision. 

If your child has an aesthetic issue

If your child has a tooth gap or one wonky tooth, they may simply like their smile the way it is. If their problem is solely aesthetic, there’s no harm if braces are treated as an option rather than a necessity.   

If your child has an alignment issue

Braces are particularly good for correcting a wide range of alignment issues: 

• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites
• Misalignment issues
• Speech impediments
• Missing teeth
• Overcrowding

In this case, the decision to improve your child’s oral health should come first. Don’t worry, there are still ways your teen can choose when it comes to their treatment. 

Traditional Braces

Traditional braces are the metal and wire kind that most people think of when they think of orthodontics. While in the past, traditional braces didn’t offer much in the way of customisation, times have changed. 

Today, your teen can change the colour of their ligatures (the small rubber parts that surround each metal brace) every time they come in. 

Ceramic Braces

If your child doesn’t like the look of traditional braces, there are more options on the table. Ceramic braces are made with clear tooth-coloured brackets. Although the wire is metal, they’re still a lot less noticeable than traditional braces.

Ceramic braces do come at a cost. They’re a bit more expensive than metal braces, slightly more fragile and they can stain more easily. Generally, they’re a good option if:

• Your teen wants to wear them
• Your teen is willing to avoid certain foods

Clear aligner plates

Generally, we don’t recommend clear aligners for young teenagers as they require a bit more work than fixed orthodontics. However, if your teen is responsible enough to keep their plates clean, they could be a good option for less severe orthodontic problems. 

At Gentle Dental, we use 3M Clarity Aligners which are virtually invisible and completely removable. As well as being discreet, they are custom-fit to your teen’s smile. Each tray is worn for about two weeks at a time and should only be removed for a couple of hours each day to eat or clean them.

Wait until they’re older

If your child is still quite young they may feel self-conscious about having braces before any of their peers. The most common time for children to have braces is between the ages of about 11-14 but many children have early consultations around 7 or 8. 

If they don’t want braces at this age, talk to your orthodontist about whether there are any downsides to delaying treatment for a year. They may change their mind once a few more of their peers start getting braces.

Talk to them about treatment

Braces treatment has changed a lot over the past few decades. It’s far less messy and a lot more comfortable than it used to be. At Gentle Dental, we use a range of techniques that make getting your braces on fuss-free, like:

• Digital scans —  these take an accurate 3D scan of your teeth and replace the messy moulds
• Fewer extractions — we don’t remove teeth unless necessary
• In-chair entertainment — your child can watch movies or listen to music while in the chair

Bring them in for a visit

If your child needs braces but doesn’t want them it could be because they’re worried about the treatment. At their initial consultation, our orthodontics team can talk through any questions your teen may have about getting their braces on. Book your consultation now at our Ghuznee Street clinic.