Does your child have crooked or misaligned teeth? Is it affecting their confidence? Then it is the right time to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist. They will conduct a detailed dental evaluation before suggesting the proper treatment for bringing your child’s teeth to their desired position. An orthodontist may recommend various orthodontic appliances depending on the teeth condition of your child. Some of them, to name a few, include bands, brackets, headgear, rubber bands, retainers, and clear aligners.
What is orthodontic treatment?
The main objective of orthodontic treatment will be to create a healthy and functional bite. The orthodontist will ensure that the teeth and jaws are lined up correctly to function as intended. It is essential for attaining improved oral health and maintaining good general health. In addition, properly aligning the teeth with the help of orthodontic treatment also helps restore your child’s beautiful smile.
At what age do kids need orthodontic treatment?
There is no such thing as a specific age for your kids to undergo orthodontic treatment. However, your child should have an orthodontic evaluation no later than the age of seven. The orthodontic treatment for your child may depend on various factors such as the type of problem your child has or is developing, the child’s stage of dental development, etc. For some children, only tooth movement may be necessary, whereas, for others, it could be the growth of the jaw or fixing the problem of sucking habits. Some kids may be facing an abnormal swallowing pattern which could have reshaped their bones.
When do kids need braces?
Parents should closely observe whether their kids are developing problems with their teeth. Problems with the teeth and jaw of your child can lead to disfiguration. At times, misalignment of the teeth or crooked teeth could interfere with your child’s usual speech and chewing ability. Bite problems, if left untreated, can also cause the wearing down of the teeth.
Achieving oral hygiene through regular brushing and flossing can be a challenging experience for children with crooked teeth. Proper oral hygiene, if not maintained, could result in tooth decay and other health problems. Orthodontic problems, if left untreated, not only can create pain in the jaws but can also impact the underlying bone structure. Braces, both traditional or invisible, may be recommended by the dentist for bringing the teeth to their proper position and thus eliminating the problems caused due to crooked teeth.
What are the symptoms of orthodontic treatment?
Some of the early symptoms that you can notice in your kids include,
- Dental problems with the milk teeth, such as the teeth falling off too quickly or not falling on time. Early decay is also an indication that your child needs orthodontic treatment.
- Common problems with biting and chewing.
- Your child breathes, keeping their mouth open.
- Thumb sucking or finger sucking.
- Teeth and jaws that are not proportional.
How effective is orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontics is very effective for children having bite problems, crooked teeth, crowded teeth, and misaligned teeth. Orthodontic treatment plays a crucial role in helping your child bite and chew properly and also contributes a lot to facilitating clear speech.
With orthodontic treatment, the functionality of the teeth can be restored, and it also gives an attractive smile to your child. Bringing the teeth, lips, jaw, and face into proper proportion improves the self-confidence and self-esteem of your child.
A straighter tooth is less prone to tooth decay, injury, and gum disease. It also improves the self-confidence and self-esteem of your child. Your child can bite, chew and speak clearly with a straighter teeth. It is one of the many reasons why orthodontics is considered a foremost choice in fixing the misalignment of the teeth.
