Book 2, Question 90
Why Do Some Kids Need Braces?
Teeth can crowd or tilt as your jaw grows. Braces guide them into place, like a map to line up your teeth. A map to line the teeth!
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 2
More fun facts
- Braces straighten teeth by putting steady pressure on them over time.
- Most kids get braces with brackets, wires, and rubber bands.
- Braces can be metal, clear, or white ceramic.
- Some braces, called lingual braces, go behind the teeth where no one can see them.
- Some people use clear plastic trays called aligners instead of wires.
- An orthodontist may take X-rays to see where the teeth are and which adult teeth are still coming in.
Sources: KidsHealth (Nemours), KidsHealth (Nemours)
Questions kids ask
Who decides if I need braces?
An orthodontist checks your teeth and says if and when you need braces.