Taking good care of your children's teeth is something that all parents try to do. We take our little ones to regular check-ups at the dentist. We make sure they learn how to brush their teeth and supervise their brushing for many years afterwards. We encourage them to eat healthy foods and minimise the foods that are harmful for their teeth. In short we are good at instilling care and maintenance on a daily basis. But for children's teeth there is always the potential for an issue to arise that is beyond a parent's control. This is where you may need the services of an orthodontist.
It is important to point out that teeth don't always grow perfectly. Children can experience all types of problems with their teeth, their jaw or their mouth. For example:
- - Crowded teeth
- - Bite issues such as over, under or cross bite
- - Missing or extra teeth
- - Protruding teeth
- - Signs of excessive enamel wear
Early treatment of any of these conditions is really important. There are two reasons for this:
- early treatment gives the opportunity to correct issues before they develop too far
- early treatment helps preserve your child's self esteem
It is important that your child has the opportunity to be confident during this stage of their life. Teeth that are noticeably different can draw attention and teasing from others so it is a good idea to nip any developmental issues in the bud. An orthodontist will do a series of checks which will include x -rays and will come up with a plan of action.
Although overcrowded or protruding teeth are clearly conditions that may need to be rectified, you may not always be aware that your child is experiencing issues that could require the services of an orthodontist. If there are any of the following signs it would be wise to make an appointment:
- - speech difficulty
- - grinding or clenching of teeth
- - jaw noises such as clicking (especially if they are tender or painful)
- - biting of the cheek or roof of the mouth
- - mouth breathing or snoring at night
Orthodontic treatment in childhood can make a big difference in a relatively short space of time. More importantly it can prevent time consuming treatment in later life. Treatment for children may commonly include the use of braces and there are several different types suitable for a range of childhood requirements such as:
- - removable braces - useful in preventing the movement caused by thumb and finger sucking
- - fixed braces
- - habit breakers
- - space maintainers
But there are also other treatments such as retainers and trainers. If you think your child might benefit from the services of an orthodontist please contact us at Oldham Orthodontics to arrange an appointment.