Braces are considered by some a "right of passage" into adulthood. It is something nearly everyone has to go through, like acne and awkwardness. Yet, given the cost of braces per child and the fact that almost all dental insurances do not typically cover the cost of corrective orthodontics, you may be wondering if you should invest in them at all. Do kids really need braces? Check out the following and decide for yourself. 

Straight Teeth Are More Well-Received

When you meet people for the first time and they speak or smile, what do you notice? More than likely, you notice their teeth. Teeth reveal a lot about people, including hygiene habits, food habits, drink habits, and whether or not they smoke. You can also see straight and crooked teeth.

People with straight teeth are more positively received because everyone is hardwired to accept the concept that straight means "trustworthy," like "on the straight and narrow." People with crooked or crowded teeth are not as well received because of the media and movies promoting people or villains with crooked teeth. If you want your children to grow up and be well-received for job interviews, personal meetings, and dates, they may have a better time of it if their teeth are straight. It is weird, but often true. 

Straight Teeth Help You Chew Properly

Particularly crooked and crowded teeth make it difficult to chew food. It is difficult to make your upper and lower teeth work together as they should. As a result, your child may grow up with some difficulty with chewing and swallowing, which makes eating less pleasurable. 

Straight Teeth Help You Speak Clearly

For any kid that has ever had to go through speech therapy in school, they know (as do their parents) that straight teeth encourage clearer pronunciation and enunciation of words and letter or diphthong sounds. These kids regularly see a dentist, and will probably end up with braces to correct their teeth so that they can speak better. If your child has a lot of problems with being able to speak and be understood, he/she might actually and truly need braces to make their speech the best it can be. 

Braces Do Not Have to Be All Metal and Wires

If your concern about braces has more to do with being self-conscious, then there are other options. Your children do not have to have traditional metal and wire braces. Sublingual braces and clear, removable braces are also a possibility. You can talk about braces options for your kids by contacting local dentists or orthodontists.