Cosmetic reasons and good oral health convince most parents to go in for braces for their growing children. So even before most of the kids know what is happening and why, the orthodontist begins his quest to straighten those crooked set of teeth.

Ever wondered how braces help the orthodontist in his this task? Braces are worn for a time period of at least 2 years, so that the procedure of straightening teeth happens gradually but surely. The treatment of people differs as per their needs. As the treatment progresses, your kid will make periodic visits to the Orthodontist to have his wires changed. Each new wire that is placed will create new tooth movement, until eventually your child’s teeth reach their ideal location. Braces create pressure on the teeth with the help of their wires and elastics.

• Brackets – Brackets are attached to each tooth with a bonding material. They are the main metal portion of the braces. These days, aesthetic options of tooth coloured brackets are also available in the market. Apart from this, there is a form of therapy where the brackets are placed on the inner side of the teeth towards the tongue/palate and are hence not visible.
• Arch Wire – This is a thin metal wire that runs from bracket to bracket. The arch wire puts pressure on the teeth and gives them the direction they need to become aligned and straight.
• Elastics – The elastics create added pressure to straighten the teeth and can be used to build more tension to direct the teeth and jaw into the desired position. They are usually available in many fun colours.

Throughout your child’s orthodontic treatment, it is essential that he brushes adequately so as to avoid any decays caused due to food getting stuck in the braces. Make sure your child uses only India’s best toothpaste - Babool. It is also important to use the right kind of toothbrush at this stage as the food debris that may get stuck in between the wires and the teeth may cause tooth decay.

After the teeth have become straight and the braces have been removed, the Orthodontist will introduce your child to retainers. The retainers, worn throughout the day, for the next 2 years, is meant to keep the teeth in their new position while the bone around the teeth becomes stronger and can support the teeth on their own. It is critical to wear the retainer as directed, so as to avoid the teeth from moving back to their old position. Maintain proper oral hygiene and choose the right toothpaste to keep all dental problems away & ensure proper dental care.