Contrary to the popular belief there is no wrong time to get your child or teen started with orthodontics, and your decision should depend on many personal factors, including scheduling and finances. However, there is one time of year that is proven to be better than the rest for starting the orthodontic journey…summertime!
Why is summertime the best time for getting braces?
1. Time to Adjust - Orthodontics has come a long way in recent years, but the process still involves moving teeth and that can be quite uncomfortable, especially at first. And it’s no secret that getting braces can be pretty daunting to the self-esteem of a teenager. Giving them a few months to get used to their braces without being surrounded by their peers at school can make a huge difference in their confidence overall. Similarly, summer helps teens learn important things about wearing and caring for their new braces.
2. Time to Break in the Braces – At Wazio Orthodontics our orthodontic technologies minimize most of the physical discomfort of getting braces, but young gums and growing teeth can still feel a bit tender shortly after the initial placement and there is going to be an adjustment period after getting braces. Braces can make talking and eating difficult. Braces can also initially disrupt sports or extra-curricular activities like Choir or Band. Summertime gives kids the time necessary to relearn how to do some of those tasks. Plus, being at home will make it easier for teens to deal with initial discomfort, establish hygiene routines, and have easy access to brace-friendly foods.
3. Easier to Make an Appointment - We hate to make kids miss any days of school, so summer is an ideal time to get these initial, lengthy orthodontic appointments out of the way. Being able to start appointments when your child doesn’t have to worry about missing class time is a great plan. Not to mention…during the school year, our office can get overwhelmed with appointments, making it difficult to start treatment, especially if you are trying to get an appointment in the limited amount of time in between when school is out and when the office closes. During the summer we have more availability, especially because many of our patients may be traveling or on vacation.
4. Easier to Focus on Oral Hygiene - Having a clean mouth is important. It gives you fresh breath and a nicer-looking smile. Braces require you to completely change how you brush your teeth as it is much harder to keep your teeth clean with braces. Food becomes caught in the brackets and between your teeth. During the summer, your teen will have more time in the morning and evening to get into the routine of thoroughly brushing their teeth. They will also have more freedom to brush and clean their teeth and braces throughout the day, something they may not be able to do while they are in school.
5. Growth Spurts - Aside from convenient scheduling and wanting your child or teen to feel as comfortable and confident as possible, there is also some science involved in our reasoning for starting orthodontic treatment in the summer. The best time for straightening teeth is during your child’s maximum growth period. Studies have shown that the greatest of these growth spurts occur during the long days of summer. While researchers are still studying the cause, the most likely reason is pituitary gland factors related to the length of the day and increased heat. Whatever the root cause for this growth spurt, the fact is that it’s ideal to get the process started beforehand to ensure that your child’s teeth move into their desired positions while they are growing.
Getting braces with us is easy. We offer our patients the option of getting traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, or Invisalign. We pride ourselves in the courteous service we provide to each patient. We strongly endorse interceptive care for our younger patients, but no matter what your age, we are committed to helping you achieve the smile you deserve. If you think your child may need orthodontic care, give our Batavia or St. Charles orthodontic office a call. If you have any questions or concerns about our practice or any orthodontic procedures, our friendly team will be happy to assist you any way we can.
Wazio Orthodontics has two conveniently located offices for you to choose from and we are open Monday through Thursday. Dr. Wazio offers complimentary consultations, flexible payment options and accepts most major insurance plans. Please visit our website to schedule your appointment or to find a location near you.