Orthodontics
Children’s Orthodontics
Providing solid foundations for the future.
Children’s Orthodontics constitutes a large part of our work. Some dental and orthodontic issues are best treated before a person’s mouth has even finished forming. Thus it is vital to bring your child to a dentist within six months of the first-ever tooth sighting and certainly no later than age one.
While many orthodontic problems are genetic, many others come from early childhood impacts, like thumb-sucking and poor nutrition.
Does my child need a brace?
The only way to decide if your child needs a brace is to visit our dentist or our orthodontist, but there are a few signs you can look out for:
- Early, late, or irregular loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty in chewing or biting
- Crowding, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
- Jaws that shift or make sounds
- Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
- Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
- Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
At what age should I get my child evaluated?
Evaluation of ‘bite’ and other orthodontic issues may begin at any stage of dental development. Children as young as 5 may need to see an orthodontic dentist and others can wait until the baby teeth have fallen out and the permanent teeth are on their way. This can happen anywhere between the ages of 10 and 13.
Determining factors.
Factors which determine this are:
- the specific problems (if any)
- the growth of the child
- risks and benefits of treatment or not treating
Your dentist will help you determine the best time for evaluation and orthodontic treatment.
Children's Othodontics FAQs
Cosmetically, there may be an aspect of your smile that is causing you to conceal or inhibit it. Typical problems include crooked or crowded teeth. They may stick out or have gaps between them that you think are unsightly. A malocclusion can lead to other dental problems, including excessively worn, chipped and broken teeth, and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD).
Occlusion is the dental term used to describe the way the teeth meet when the jaws bite together. A malocclusion, and irregularity in the way the teeth meet, may be a symptom of—or cause—problems with the temporomandibular joint that connects the lower jaw and the skull. The technical term referring to these problems in the jaw and the muscles in the face that control it, is Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD).
Treatment begins with the orthodontic dentist undertaking an in-depth study of the mouth and jaw, using x-rays, in order to devise a strategy for moving the teeth into position. The method most often chosen is fixed braces, which will typically be adjusted and tightened every six weeks for a duration of one to two years.
The duration of orthodontic treatment depends upon the nature of the problem, and the appliance chosen to address it. For example, using Invisalign aligners to correct crowding of one or two teeth can take just six to 14 weeks. Traditional braces may have to be worn from 6 up to 24 months. If you think you may require orthodontic treatment, Our treatment coordinators and orthodontic dentist will discuss all of the various options with you, prior to embarking on treatment.
Things you can do at home to care for your teeth after braces include:
Schedule a professional exam and cleaning
After having braces, you are well aware of how challenging it can be to keep your teeth clean. Now that they are off, it’s a good idea to schedule an exam and thorough, professional cleaning. While at the dental practice, you have the option of whitening treatment, too. This can help get rid of any stains or yellowing that may be present.
Wear your retainer
Your teeth are naturally inclined to move back to their original position. In fact, the biggest risk of this happening is within the first few weeks after you have gotten your braces off. The retainer is going to keep your teeth where they are supposed to be.
Adopt a thorough oral health care routine at home
Braces are a big investment. Now that they are off, it’s important to follow a good daily dental routine. This can help you keep the beautiful and healthy smile you worked so hard to get.
Some of the things you need to do each day include:
- Brush your teeth: At least two times a day using a soft bristled brush. Also, replace your toothbrush every three or four months.
- Floss once a day: By flossing one time a day, you can remove food particles and plaque that your toothbrush can’t reach. Be sure you are flossing each space in between your teeth.
- Use mouthwash: This is optional, however, if your teeth need a bit more protection than just brushing and flossing, speak to your dentist about the right mouthwash options for your needs. This also gives you nice, fresh breath.
- Clean your retainers: This needs to be a part of your daily routine. After it becomes a habit, it won’t feel so much like a chore.