Children's dental care is an important aspect of their health. You're on the recommended track if you are taking your child to the dentist twice a year. As your child gets older, you may start to notice your child's teeth begin to appear crooked or misaligned, and it may be time to also see an orthodontist. An orthodontist handles different types of dental care than a regular dentist does. Dentists manage general dental health, hygiene, and treat issues with your gums, teeth, tongue, and mouth. An orthodontist is specifically trained to fix misaligned teeth with methods such as braces, aligners, retainers, etc. Here are some questions that may cross your mind as you consider seeing a children's orthodontist.
At what age should your child see an orthodontist? There's no exact age or time stating when a child may see an orthodontist. A big factor in deciding the right time to have an orthodontic evaluation is whether a child's permanent teeth have started to come in, usually around age 7. However, depending on conditions, some kids may see an orthodontist at a younger age, as teens, or even adults.
What should you expect at the first appointment? At the first appointment, your orthodontist may use a few different evaluation methods to assess what orthodontic treatment your child will need. X-rays are commonly taken to review the alignment of the teeth and see if any adult teeth have surfaced in the child's mouth. The orthodontist may also take an impression of your child's mouth by making a mold from a rubbery material that hardens once removed. With the data from an exam and methods such as these, your orthodontist can make recommendations for your child's orthodontic treatment.
Will your child's teeth straighten over time? It is unlikely your child's teeth will align properly on their own; often, not addressing an orthodontic problem can make the issues worse. Orthodontist treatment is more than just the improved appearance of a smile. Orthodontics can help improve a variety of dental functions, such as speaking clearly, biting and chewing, or jaw alignment. Everyone is different and has different dental conditions that can stem from various origins. Sometimes teeth alignment problems are a result of a child sucking their thumb, or losing their baby teeth at a young age, accidents, or could simply be caused by genetics. Addressing orthodontic issues at an early age could be an advantage to your child's treatment.
Orthodontic treatment may be a long process for your child, but also will result in a beautiful smile.
Share9 December 2020
Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.