Braces? Anyone had them as a child or have a child with them?

DD11 is having braces in another few months. She has had a review recently with the orthodonist and it was decided this is the best thing to do to fix her teeth which are a little crooked due to over crowding. I was not expecting them to put them on her so soon.

Now my concern is at 11 and she is very immature for her age will she be able to look after her teeth correctly with the added stuff she needs to do to keep them clean etc. I want whats best for her and she is already not happy with her teeth so I'm happy to fix them especially before she gets to an age where appearance is more important to her then it currently is.

So for others with kids with braces how do they manage (well or not) or for anyone that had them themselves was it an inconvenience or just another thing? Also with the retainers did you wear them for the length of time recommended? I am also worried I'll pay all this $$$ and I wont beable to keep her wearing her retainers so her teeth will move.

My brother, sister and I all had braces as children, but never the retainer.

I got mine at the age of 13 and off just before my year 10 formal. I hated them, but then again I believe I didn't need them. I have had a lot of issues since as my teeth were so badly damaged by the glue they use to stick the "metal dots" on.

I remember my biggest thing was that so many of my friends at school had them it wasn't anything new, although they all ended up with nice straight pearly whites, and mine not so much (through reactions to the glue, damage made by the metal strips, etc)

I was very rigorous with cleaning, as it is a bit harder with all that metal in the mouth. I know my brother being the first to get them (and he had them for 3-4 years) took it as a bit of a joke and ended up not looking after them, and even though he has reasonably straight teeth, they are very rotten in places.

The hardest thing being a child/teenager with them is definitely the ridicule at school, so you would really have to assess the maturity of your DD against the urgency of getting them. If some of her friends have them or are getting them then that good.

One thing, and not wanting to scare you or her, but the main was unbearable at times, and the aftercare (once braces off but still regular visits with orthodontist) were some of the worst times.

For myself, I definitely regret being made to get them, but then in saying that I can't remember my teeth before hand (I just remember the 2 teeth which I believed may of been an issue - and they weren't fixed!)

Good luck to you and your DD. it would be worth also bringing up your concerns with orthodontist and perhaps dentist for their input. If delaying a bit won't affect her then there is no harm in waiting.

ETA - I just worked out that my mum has paid over $20,000 in orthodontist bills, and none of us kids are really happy with our teeth. It's definitely and investment so you need to make sure your DD knows what care is required and ensure she does it

Can't offer any advice, but interested in the answers, as my kids need them too.

My brother, sister, and I all had braces and the retainer afterwards.
I was 13 when I got mine, had them on for 18months. Not sure how old my brother was when he got his. My sister was like 14-15, i guess.

I didn't really have any problems. I didn't hate them, just dealt with having them knowing that I'd have perfect teeth in the end. They hurt. Lol. I had to have my jaw widened (sp?) with a thing on the roof of my mouth. Maybe they may have been less painful if I didn't need that. no idea.
As for the retainer I wore mine like I was suppose to until it didn't fit anymore. I went back to get it refitted but it still wouldn't fit (I got wisdom teeth or something so it prevented the wire part from going around the back tooth. if you get what I mean). I don't feel like my teeth have really changed now either.

My 12yr old cousin got hers on at the start of dec and she seems to be going ok with them so far.
Good luck with your girl getting her braces on.

I had them when I was 11 for about 8 months to correct a crossbite. They were a little sore for the first few days after they were fitted and after each orthodontist appointment (I had a jaw expanding thingo that used to get tightened). The cleaning wasn't hard either, I probably just took a little longer to brush my teeth. Around the time the braces came off, my dad had major surgery and was off work for 3 months - I think my parents must have run out of money because I never got a retainer. After the braces my teeth were perfect and straight but over the years they've slowly moved and my crossbite has returned. I'm quite self-conscious about it and am now saving up to have it fixed with invisalign. I really wish my parents were in a position to finish my treatment at the time! Good luck to you and your DD!

I had braces for 3 years from year 8 to year 10. It wasn't cool for the first year of high school, and I'd had to have hideous springs to push some teeth apart (to fit others in their place) and other teeth removed! Was very crowded in there. It would hurt getting the wires tightened (jewel I was supposed to have what you had, but guess orthos worked differently east to west!!).

Saying all this, I'm glad my mum and dad did it for me. I actually think my teeth would be harder to take care of now if they weren't straightened as my teeth were so crowded. I didn't find it difficult at all. After 3 years it was weird not having them!

They were a bit of a novelty too, got me out of school a fair few times, plus, I could always make my lips look rosey using them!!!

I had a retainer which I wore afterwards till it fell apart. Sure my teeth have moved a little since, but have nothing on what they were. It was almost 20 years ago now (wow!!)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had metal braces and then a retainer at about age 13/14?. They are alot harder to clean than just your usual brushing b/c of the wires etc.... however if you don't then you would end up with fillings and damaged teeth. They do hurt when you go for your checkups b/c the orthodontist usually will tighten them and your gums/mouth are sore for a few days, so I would suggest soups and foods that are more soft than hard to eat for a few days after the visit. I also had to have the elastics joining the top and bottom braces, PITA b/c you have to take them out to eat. With the retainer, you need to rinse your mouth regularly after eating & clean the retainer to remove food bits. I used to just into the loos after recess and lunch and rinse it under the tap. My teeth aren't great but I had alot of issues to fix (missing teeth, false teeth etc...) This was my experience, so things might have changed now.