Braces?

[ancientlight]

Hi all.
Here I am again asking for advice 
So my son (almost 13) , needs braces. 

He hates the idea of braces, hates how he'd be struggling to eat certain foods with them, how to keep them clean etc.
What would be best ? Are braces a good idea ?
His dentist suggested he get some , actually two dentists did.

What would be some options or alternatives perhaps?
Thanks!

[Bally002]

Hi all.
Here I am again asking for advice 
So my son (almost 13) , needs braces. 

He hates the idea of braces, hates how he'd be struggling to eat certain foods with them, how to keep them clean etc.
What would be best ? Are braces a good idea ?
His dentist suggested he get some , actually two dentists did.

What would be some options or alternatives perhaps?
Thanks!

Bit hard to answer mate.  How bad are your son's teeth? 

If buckled I suggest yeah, get the braces.  If not so bad I suggest waiting until your son is an adult and can decide for himself. 

Braces normally require a brushing after each meal.  Which can be a good thing.  But I'm only surmising.  

My thoughts only,

Kind regards,

Bally)

[SnrRog]

How about Invisalign?  I don't know the limitations of what it can do to teeth, but it may be worthwhile pursuing this a bit.

www.invisalign.com

SnrRog

[ancientlight]

Hi all.
Here I am again asking for advice 
So my son (almost 13) , needs braces. 

He hates the idea of braces, hates how he'd be struggling to eat certain foods with them, how to keep them clean etc.
What would be best ? Are braces a good idea ?
His dentist suggested he get some , actually two dentists did.

What would be some options or alternatives perhaps?
Thanks!

Bit hard to answer mate.  How bad are your son's teeth? 

If buckled I suggest yeah, get the braces.  If not so bad I suggest waiting until your son is an adult and can decide for himself. 

Braces normally require a brushing after each meal.  Which can be a good thing.  But I'm only surmising.  

My thoughts only,

Kind regards,

Bally)

I know. I'm not at all sure what to do. And orthodontics aren't cheap! Thanks for trying though

---

How about Invisalign?  I don't know the limitations of what it can do to teeth, but it may be worthwhile pursuing this a bit.

www.invisalign.com

SnrRog

He says he read they can stain teeth , so he doesn't seem eager to try them . 
Good idea though 

[EndtheMadnessNow]

Hi all.
Here I am again asking for advice 
So my son (almost 13) , needs braces. 

He hates the idea of braces, hates how he'd be struggling to eat certain foods with them, how to keep them clean etc.
What would be best ? Are braces a good idea ?
His dentist suggested he get some , actually two dentists did.

What would be some options or alternatives perhaps?
Thanks!

I got braces when I was 10 due to a horrible accident and had to wear the painful birdcage of wires for 5 long years + surgeries I care not to remember. Today, braces are not a big deal, less painful, not a mouthful of metal, less duration, easier to keep teeth clean. My younger daughter had braces for 14 months followed by wearing a retainer off & on for 2 years. My younger son had braces for 2 years and did not need a retainer afterward. They both cursed me the whole time but after getting them off they both thanked me. Biggest smiles I think I'd seen in years. LOL.

13 is a good age to get them. Younger the better in my experience as your bone structure is still developing and easier/quicker to reshape/straighten Vs when you're an adult. I would NOT delay as the older they get the more emotional/physical pain they will have starting in that 15-16 year age. Plus who wants to wear braces or any corrective contraption when you're an adult. I would imagine any decent orthodontist for children will dispel any myths & fears a typical 12-13 year old might hold. I was not able to convince my son to get them no matter what I said. It was the dentist that convinced him. Ha, go figure.

Find a high quality mouthwash and buy it by the gallon. Rinse between every meal to prevent bacterial build-up. Especially, before bed time. Whatever the ortho recommends for a toothbrush these days. I pretty much had to become a Marine drill sergeant for first several months until rinsing/brushing/rinse some more became a routine for them. My kids walked away with no cavities / no stains. Just big happy smiles. Course, I restricted sugary foods to a very bare minimum as well. Stay away from sticky, taffy, gummy goo food & candy.

My kids were between 13-14 when they got braces. Get'er done & over with is my advice. Your son will thank you later down road.

[Infolurker]

Dolly had braces! (and I would do Invisalign or similar clear plastic solution)

[FlickerOfLight]

I'll play.

My two cents worth.

To me, it sounds like he doesn't want them at all. He shot down the invisiline idea, and is totally against braces, the only other alternative is to pull all his teeth and get implants. But, I'm sure he wouldn't want that.

If he doesn't want them, I say it's his mouth, his choice.

But that's me.

Save the money. Take a vacation instead.