Good teeth and oral health start with good early habits. As parents, it’s essential to teach your children how to properly care for their teeth and stress the importance of visiting the dentist often. If something seems off about how your little one’s teeth are growing, you might want to take them to a pediatric orthodontist in Monsey, New York.
WHEN SHOULD A CHILD HAVE THEIR FIRST ORTHODONTIC EXAMINATION?
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, the best time for a child to visit an orthodontist for their first checkup is around seven. They have a mix of primary and permanent teeth at that age, and a pediatric orthodontist can observe how their adult teeth are growing. If there are any concerns, we can determine the best treatment option.
Common Pediatric Orthodontic Problems
Pediatric orthodontists will notice if your child’s teeth are growing improperly and act fast to prevent bigger issues as they grow up. At their first appointment, we will be on the lookout for signs of the most common orthodontic concerns.
Crowded Teeth
When there isn’t enough room in the mouth for permanent teeth, they will begin to come in a little crowded. This often happens when a child loses their baby teeth too early, before their jaws begin to grow to accommodate their bigger permanent teeth.
Overbite
A child has an overbite when their upper teeth stick out much farther than their lower ones. Children who often sucked their thumbs as babies or did a lot of tongue thrusting are likely to have an overbite or protruding teeth. The pressure placed on the roof of their mouth causes the bone to shift and their teeth to come in at an angle.
Spacing in the Teeth
Another issue that occurs in children is extra spaces between their permanent teeth. This generally happens when an adult tooth is missing or if the upper and lower jaws differ in size. Gaps between teeth can cause issues with self-esteem, speech, and keeping your teeth clean.
Crossbite
Crossbite occurs when the upper and lower teeth don’t come together, causing improper positioning when you bite. This generally occurs due to the way a child’s face and jaw are developing.
WHY PEDIATRIC ORTHODONTICS IS IMPORTANT
Many parents believe their child might be too young to get an orthodontic treatment or should wait until all their permanent teeth grow in. The best time to get an orthodontic treatment is during childhood while their facial structures are still developing. Pediatric orthodontics is essential due to the following reasons:
Better Chances of Successful Treatment
If you wait until your child’s jaw has fully developed, it could make their orthodontic treatment more difficult or lengthy. Depending on the severity of the case, some issues cannot properly be accomplished once their faces and jaws are no longer growing.
Prevents Teeth from Chipping or Fracturing
If your child’s teeth protrude outward, their chances of chipping or fracturing a tooth increase significantly. Starting an orthodontic treatment early on can reduce those odds and prevent the need for costly procedures to repair broken teeth.
Lowers Chances of Oral Issues
Having crowded or crooked teeth can make it harder to keep them clean. When your teeth are piled up on top of each other, flossing becomes more difficult, and you won’t be able to properly brush. This increases your chances of harmful bacteria accumulating, resulting in issues like decay.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A PEDIATRIC ORTHODONTIST IN MONSEY, NEW YORK?
Does your child need an orthodontic examination? We invite you to visit SmileBuilders, where we do everything we can to keep your child comfortable and their oral health in the best shape. Give us a call today to schedule a visit!