I compiled a list of the 5 most important orthodontic truths every mom should know and the 5 outright lies or misconceptions. We’re gonna count down from 5 and start with the lie (since that’s what we all wanna know first) and alternate from truth and lie!
Lie #5 You should wait for braces till your child loses all their baby teeth first. WRONG
It’s astounding that dentists and even some orthodontists are giving this advice. Suppose you wait till a child loses all their baby teeth (usually happens around age 12) before getting ortho treatment. In that case, their jawbone has already hardened and it will be way more difficult to correct their smiles, taking much longer and could even involve tooth extractions!
Truth #5 Evaluate early (around age 6) and before the age of nine!
The sweet spot to evaluate and correct teeth alignment is between ages 6-9. Why? Well, it’s a lot like Play-Doh or clay. When Play-Doh is fresh, it’s fun and easy to shape into anything.
But if you leave it out too long, it starts to dry up. It’s still possible to work with it, but it becomes much tougher and less cooperative—it may even crack or crumble, making it harder. Just like this, if you wait for ortho treatment, the hardness level increases, and with hardness comes more pain for your child. It also extends the treatment time from just a few months to now a few YEARS!
Lie #4 Braces will rust!
Check this out:
yeah… That’s not real – just some AI trickery! Plus, those are some janky-looking brackets!
People think of metal and water and automatically assume braces can rust! But no, braces cannot get rusty. They are considered a Medical Device that’s FDA regulated. So, the manufacturers have to use approved metal alloys that do not rust. These can be titanium alloys with nickel and/or chromium OR Chromium-nickel-cobalt alloys or titanium alloys and it goes on and on. But here’s an even scarier truth…
Truth #4 Teeth greatly affect your child’s confidence!
A child’s bite can affect more than just their smile. Crooked teeth can really impact how they feel about themselves. Even small dental differences might make them a target for teasing or bullying, and that can chip away at their confidence. Over time, this can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, or even depression. It’s heartbreaking, but it can also affect how they connect with others and their ability to perform well in school. That’s why addressing these issues early can make such a big difference—not just for their smile, but for their overall well-being.
Lie #3 Braces are the ONLY way to straighten children’s teeth
Imagine this: It’s the late 1800s, and the only way to get anywhere is by horse and buggy. It’s slow, inconvenient, and let’s be honest—pretty bumpy!
Then one day, someone comes along with an invention that changes everything: the car. Suddenly, what used to take hours now takes minutes, and travel is forever transformed.
For over a century, people couldn’t imagine traveling any other way. That is, until something better came along. And that’s exactly what’s happening right now in child orthodontics. For over 100 years, braces and expanders have been the go-to solution for fixing crooked teeth in children. They’ve worked, but let’s be honest—they’ve also required tons of appointments, lots of discomfort, and a big impact on a child’s life.
That leads us to Truth #3!
Believe it or not, Invisalign® introduced something that’s changing the game. For the longest time Invisalign® couldn’t work for children who had a mix of baby and adult teeth. But they overcame all the challenges and created a new system designed just for kids between ages 6-9. With Invisalign®’s new system, we can straighten teeth in as little as six months—something traditional braces and expanders would often take 1 to 2 years to accomplish!
By the way, if you’d like to have a super clear, laid-out comparison of braces, and expanders vs Invisalign® for kids; I put all that together in a totally Free guide. You can check out the link below:
Don’t wait! Early Treatment to intercept these problems can mean the difference between a simple pain-free solution and years of complicated, costly and painful treatments later on.
Lie #4 Orthodontic treatment is painful (Half True!)
Traditionally, most kids needed expanders to widen their palate and braces to straighten their teeth. But here’s the big problem—expanders can be extremely painful. Let me break it down for you. If you’ve ever had braces, you know they can be uncomfortable, right? Well, we actually measure that discomfort using something called grams of force. Braces exert about 50-100 grams of force. Now, compare that to expanders—they exert 400 to 600 grams of force! That’s a huge difference.
And to make matters worse? It’s usually the parent’s job to crank the expander every night. So, not only is your child in pain, but now you’re the bad guy, too.
Which brings us to Truth #2:
Invisalign First is virtually painless! While expanders are 400-600 grams of force and braces are 50-100 grams, Invisalign applies only 5 to 10 grams. That’s so light it’s almost indiscernible. Your child gets results without the pain—and you’re off the hook as the nightly crank operator!
Lie 1 Ortho Treatment will take years
Elizabeth, a mom who recently came into our office, shared her story with me. Growing up, she had expanders and braces, and after four grueling years, she finally completed her treatment. Four years! That’s a long time, and unfortunately, it’s an experience a lot of people can relate to.
But here’s the good news: Treatment taking more than a year for kids? That’s NOT the case anymore.
Truth #1: Invisalign® First can fix most children’s teeth between the ages of 6 and 9 in as little as six months!
Don’t believe me? Let’s hear what Elizabeth had to say about her daughter’s incredible transformation.
Amazing, right? Leanna’s smile turned out beautifully!
So, if you’re ready to start your child’s journey toward a better smile, click the link in the description to schedule a free consultation with me.
Let’s make sure your child’s smile is on the right track—and do it with as little stress as possible.
Faith:
Separating the truth from the lies today really reminds me of this verse in the Bible that’s always stood out to me:
John 14:6
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” We can’t change the truth – but the truth can definitely change us and lead us to eternal salvation. Remember, Jesus and his love for you is the greatest truth there is!
So, if you’re ready to start your child’s journey toward a better smile, click the link in the description to schedule a free consultation with me.
Let’s make sure your child’s smile is on the right track—and do it with as little stress as possible.
Want to see and hear more?
For a more interactive experience, check out the live YouTube version of this blog, where we dive deeper into the topic and share expert insights. Watch the full video!
