Having a nice, bright and even smile is important to most people. It is important for dental health, as well as for mental health. Sometimes, well aligned teeth happen naturally. Other times, your teeth may need a little help… or a lot of help.
If your child’s teeth are not well aligned, then help is required. You will need to see an orthodontist to have them sorted out. You will be advised to have your child wear braces if their teeth are:
- Overlapping
- Overcrowded
- Crooked
Another reason is if there is evidence of malocclusion. This is when the teeth have a vast difference in the top and bottom jaw sizes. A bigger lower jaw is called an under bite, while a bigger upper one is referred to as an overbite.
Why do these dental problems develop?
Prolonged thumb sucking may cause teeth to jut outwards or even to get loose and fall out too soon. Sometimes children lose the baby teeth too soon which is not good. Children also lose teeth due to accidents. Your child’s dentist will quickly notice if there is a problem and recommend orthodontic treatment.
An orthodontist is a specialist dentist. He or she determines whether there is need for corrective jaw and/or teeth alignment. They will decide whether your child needs to be fitted with braces and which devices would suit them best.
If you want a family oriented orthodontist in Orlando, Modern Orthodontics is the one to go to.
When should a child have their first orthodontic visit?
There is really no set age. Anytime from 6 years is fine. However, many orthodontists advise that children should visit an orthodontist once their permanent teeth show up. That is when issues that may need orthodontic attention like crooked teeth, will be noticeable.
Debut Visit
When your child makes his/her maiden visit to the orthodontist’s:
- Their mouth, teeth and jaws will be thoroughly explored.
- The bite will be checked and a dental history will be taken.
- The orthodontist may need to take some x-rays to check alignment. They also need to check the progress of the permanent teeth.
- They may take an impression of your child’s teeth. This allows the orthodontist to make a decision on the best way to approach treatment if it is needed.
Braces
In simple terms, braces gradually coax the out-of-line teeth back into position. This happens over a period of time. Most children get their braces with only brackets, wires and rubber bands. The brackets latch onto the teeth and the wire and rubber bands connect them. Some children need additional devices like headgear which are worn at night. This is for those teeth which need a stronger force to push them.
If the teeth are too crowded, the orthodontist might require a few to be pulled out to provide more space for movement.
Once the braces are fixed, your child will need to go for checkups every few weeks for adjustments and monitoring.
Orthodontist treatment is necessary if your child’s teeth are to be properly aligned, especially if they are all jumbled up in the mouth and showing no signs of getting in line properly. Therefore, you should get them evaluated in good time.
