A great smile starts with straight, healthy teeth. As children grow, little smiles might be hurt by a number of environmental or genetic factors, causing malocclusion (crooked teeth), or other problems with their alignment. Jaws can develop out of proportion, and accidents can also happen, causing lost teeth, and extra space between teeth.
Choosing to treat your child’s misaligned teeth is an important decision, best handled by experienced and compassionate professionals. Our dental team at My Kidz Dentist is ready to provide your family with the caring guidance that you need to navigate your child’s treatment. The ultimate outcome of your child’s treatment depends on the type and severity of the teeth.
Genes determine everything about your appearance, and the way that your body functions, including the way that your teeth grow, which is your natural alignment. However, certain habits, like sucking thumbs, and habitually placing objects in the mouth, can interfere with the proper growth of a child’s teeth. Take your child to an orthodontist if they have any of these symptoms:
For us to have a clear understanding of how we can help your child, bring your child in for their consultation. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends your child’s first trip to the orthodontist by age 7. Orthodontics are usually given to eligible children who are typically between 9 and 14.
Though the typical age for braces is the beginning of puberty, the right age to get braces depends on the child. Your provider will work with you to choose the best option to treat your child’s misalignment. This may include other types of orthodontia that aren’t necessarily braces, and we will provide all of the guidance for the use and care of any device.
While alignment issues are not serious spell serious ailments, they can make caring for your child’s teeth more challenging. Malocclusion can make brushing and flossing more difficult, raising your child’s risk of forming dangerous plaque below the gumline, which can cause gum disease. Teeth that don’t meet properly cause unnecessary pressure on the bite, which can wear down teeth.
Straightening your child’s bite can also make chewing much easier for them, and protect teeth that stick out from breaking. In short, straight teeth are easier to use and to keep healthy.
Health insurer Humana estimates that about 4 million people wear braces in the US, and about one million of them are adults. It’s never too late to straighten your smile, but early intervention is key to keeping the worst of the problems at bay. To get ahead of your child’s teeth alignment issues, call My Kidz Dentist at any of our three locations, or book an appointment with us online.
