braces Archives — Beating Broke

My Braces Story

When I was a teen, I didn’t need braces, but I did need a retainer. I found the retainer uncomfortable, and I had a lisp when I talked with it. I had to tell my teacher I was missing page 66 in a textbook, and with the retainer, what I sounded like was, “I’m mithin’ page thixty thix.” He couldn’t understand me and had to ask another student to translate.

I took the retainer out every day to eat lunch and wrapped it in a napkin. However, one day I accidentally threw it away. To this day, my mom thinks I did it on purpose, but I didn’t. She didn’t buy me a replacement retainer, and my brief stint in the orthodontics world was over.

My Children’s Braces Stories

I have three kids. The older two needed braces; the younger one did not.

Only Get Your Teen Braces If They Want Them

My son disliked his braces. When the treatment was over, he never wore his retainer. My husband and I spent over $3,500 for his orthodontic treatment. We feel that we wasted money because, without a retainer, his teeth continue to shift. I wouldn’t be surprised if someday they’re back where they were before we started treatment.

Our daughter doesn’t like braces, but she fastidiously maintains them. Even though she’s in treatment, I do not doubt that she will religiously wear her retainer and maintain her new smile.

Should You Only Get Your Teen Braces If They Want Them?

That’s a tough question because I feel that I wasted my money on one child but not the other. Ultimately, I would say the decision comes down to how much will the child be impacted in the future if he does not get braces?

If the child has overcrowding or an under or overbite that may cause damage to her teeth in adulthood, then you should get them braces. However, if the teeth are simply overlapping or have gaps in them, perhaps you could gauge whether or not you should get him braces based on his interest.

Final Thoughts

I’m not a doctor, so I am only giving my opinion as a parent with two kids who had braces and had vastly different behavior towards those braces. As a parent, I’m frustrated by paying thousands of dollars for a child who won’t maintain that dental work. I’m sure my mom was just as frustrated by me.

Unfortunately, the optimal time for orthodontic work is during the teen years, when most kids aren’t particularly responsible. As for me, I sought orthodontic treatment in adulthood to fix my teeth, and I was much more responsible than I was as a teen, especially since I was the one paying for it.

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MelissaB

Melissa is a writer and virtual assistant. She earned her Master’s from Southern Illinois University, and her Bachelor’s in English from the University of Michigan. When she’s not working, you can find her homeschooling her kids, reading a good book, or cooking. She resides in Arizona where she dislikes the summer heat but loves the natural beauty of the area.

www.momsplans.com/

Raising children and providing them with basic needs like food, clothes, and shelter can be expensive, especially as they enter the tween and teen years. And then there are other expenses like school, sports, entertainment, gifts, etc. that get more expensive as your child gets older. If you have a child that needs braces, especially if the problem doesn’t seem that bad, you may decide to forego treatment. However, if at all possible, there are several reasons why you should get braces for your child when needed.

Why You Should Get Braces for Your Child When Needed

Although paying thousands of dollars for your child to get braces is a financial hardship, there are several reasons why it’s smart to make the investment.

Waiting May Lead To More Problems Later

I have a small, narrow mouth, and my mom was told I needed a retainer to correct an overbite and a crossbite. Admittedly, on the surface, my teeth don’t look that bad. I don’t think that the crossbite is that noticeable, and I have just a bit of overcrowding. My mom did pay for a retainer, but I wrapped it in a napkin when it was time to eat lunch at school, and inadvertently I threw it in the trash. My mom didn’t have money to buy a new one, so that was the end of my orthodontic treatment.

Fast forward 30 years later, and I’ve had many problems with the side of my mouth that has a crossbite. Because I clench my teeth at night, I wear a mouth guard. However, even with the dental appliance, I damaged the teeth with a crossbite. I had a botched root canal that couldn’t be fixed on that side, had to have the tooth pulled, and now I’m waiting for a dental implant. I also had to have a root canal on another tooth on that side.

The side that doesn’t have the crossbite? I’ve had no problems despite my clenching. Now I’m in Invisalign to correct the crossbite and hopefully mitigate any future damage.

Double the Expenses

Why You Should Get Braces for Your Child When Needed — Photo by Alex Robinson on Unsplash

If adults need braces, chances are, at least some of their children will also need braces. Then, the adults are not only paying for their children’s braces, but their own. In our home, I’m in braces, my son completed his treatment last year, and my daughter started hers last year. Paying for two kids in braces is expensive enough, but to then pay for my adult braces on top is a financial strain.

Children’s Teeth Are Easier to Move

While a child is still growing, their teeth are easier to move with braces. Yes, adults can also see good results with braces, but treatment will likely be more difficult and take longer.

More Stigma with Adults Wearing Braces

Even though more adults are getting braces, adults still only make up about 20% of the total braces-wearing population. Many adults may be self-conscious to wear braces when they’re working in the business world, and there may be a stigma attached to those who wear them.

Final Thoughts

Many people consider braces optional, especially if the problems aren’t immediately visible. However, not getting braces for your child to correct a crossbite or other issues can lead to expensive dental procedures for your child in adulthood. If at all possible, try to pay for your child’s braces, especially when considering all the reasons why you should get braces for your child when needed.

Did your parents pay for your braces, or did you have to wait until you were an adult? Do you agree that paying for braces should be a priority for parents if they’re necessary?

MelissaB