Early Orthodontic Treatment For Your Child
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The Importance Of early Orthodontic Treatment For Kids
Crooked teeth can cause many issues with eating, speaking, and smiling.
Early orthodontic treatments can be a great option if you have a young child whose teeth aren’t aligned correctly. This dental treatment can help ensure that your child’s teeth and jaw develop correctly, improving their oral health and avoiding future issues with their teeth, jaw alignment, or bite problems.
If your child is experiencing discomfort while eating or smiling, it may be time to consider early orthodontics. At Piara Waters Dental, we offer a wide range of early orthodontic treatments designed specifically for young children who do not yet have permanent teeth. Our experienced dentists can assist you in making an informed decision about whether or not your child is a good candidate for this type of treatment.
Benefits of
Early Orthodontic Treatments
Preventing early tooth loss
If a youngster's baby teeth fall out prematurely, the neighbouring teeth may begin to shift, increasing the chance of their adult teeth erupting in an incorrect and uncomfortable position. The dentist uses an orthodontic appliance that may aid in starting the tooth straightening process, allowing for proper alignment when their permanent teeth begin to emerge. It's also critical to remember that even if the baby teeth fall out while wearing an orthodontic device, the appliance will hold the surrounding teeth securely in place, allowing permanent teeth to come in properly.
Treating bite problems
When your child's teeth or jaws are misaligned, it's called a malocclusion or a poor bite, which can lead to abnormal tooth development. This may often cause headaches, jaw pain, and discomfort. In some extreme circumstances, the top teeth have little room to develop appropriately, in which case a palatal expander is used to gently and comfortably expand the upper jaw. A child's mouth and teeth will develop correctly if orthodontic treatment is initiated early to fix bad bites. The key to resolving bite issues early is that the bones are still growing and can be manipulated more easily.
Keeping teeth healthy and clean
Overcrowded or crooked teeth make cleaning difficult. There are a lot of gaps and areas that become difficult to access, allowing plaque and bacteria to build up and thrive. It can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental difficulties later in life. You may make your child's oral care easier by straightening their teeth early.
Cost-effective and time-saving
If left untreated, dental problems will become more painful and aesthetically unappealing, leaving your teeth unsightly. The sooner your child's orthodontic problems are fixed, the better their dental health and the more money and time you will save in the long run. A dental problem that is more difficult to fix will take more time and cost more.
Reducing or correcting speech difficulties
A bad bite or misaligned teeth can cause speech impediments and lisps. By resolving these issues while your child is young, you can improve their chances of avoiding or alleviating these problems and give your child the confidence to communicate and interact with others.
Why Choose Piara Waters Dental For Orthodontic Check Up For Children
Call us today at 08 6196 4661 to schedule an appointment with one of our friendly staff members.
FAQ’s
Signs that a child needs early orthodontic treatment
Too much tooth protrusion:
Too much protrusion of your child’s teeth could indicate they need early orthodontic care. Thumb sucking and extended sippy cup use are common causes of these problems. Additionally, it indicates that the lower jaw isn’t growing as rapidly as the upper jaw. In children, protruding teeth can cause problems because they may require extensive lifelong oral care if they break or crack a tooth.
Overcrowding of teeth:
It is a sign that your child’s jaw is too small and narrow to accommodate the adult tooth when your child loses their baby teeth and the adult tooth cannot be seen. By undergoing early orthodontic treatment, you can expand the jaw to accommodate all the teeth.
Snoring, breathing through their mouths, or grinding their teeth:
Teeth grinding, snoring, and mouth breathing are linked to small arches, poor bites, and crowding. Your child may develop obstructive sleep apnea if these problems aren’t addressed promptly. It’s not usual for children to snore or breathe through their mouths.
Prolonged thumb sucking:
Long-term thumbsucking can lead to many health problems. It can cause the teeth to grow out too far and the jaws to grow in incorrectly. It can also result in eating difficulties and speech issues later on.
Their underbite is prominent:
When the bottom teeth of your child are protruding more than the upper teeth, this is an indication that they have an underbite. If your child develops an underbite during their teenage years, extensive orthodontic work and possibly jaw surgery will be required to correct it.
Speech Problems:
A variety of factors can contribute to speech impairments, but one of the most common is dental problems. You may wish to have your child evaluated for early orthodontics if they have a speech impediment.
At what age should a child get early orthodontic treatment?
Dentists who favour the traditional technique believe that a two-phase approach to treatment adds extra time and, in some cases, money to orthodontic treatment that produces comparable results. Some specialists, however, feel that using orthodontic appliances to guide growth during the early stages of treatment makes it easier and less complicated.
Children’s orthodontic needs should be assessed and treated by 7 to 9 years old. Phase two of the treatment will usually start at the age of 11. You will need to choose the best treatment options for your child according to their tooth condition. Consult with your child’s dentist about the proper way to proceed.
Dental problems that early orthodontic treatments fix
Jaws and midlines are misaligned:
A misaligned jaw can result in uneven bites, which can cause much discomfort. The misaligned jaws strain the temporal mandibular joint, triggering a TMJ problem.
Overcrowded teeth:
Overcrowding is one of the most prevalent dental issues. Teeth get twisted and overlapped, which may be uncomfortable at times. Teeth are also tough to clean and floss, leading to gum irritation and dental cavities. Crowding can be treated either with braces or through tooth removal. It will give your child a better smile and improve their chewing ability.
Periodontal Disease:
Brushing teeth becomes challenging for people with misaligned teeth. Due to the overlaps between the teeth, flossing is almost impossible. The accumulation of food particles in the teeth can cause gum disease due to poor oral hygiene. Dental straightening helps keep your teeth healthy and prevent gum disease.
Tooth gaps:
Gaps in the teeth that develop due to uneven spacing are known to accumulate food debris. A diastema, the space between the two teeth, may continue into adulthood. Orthodontic therapies such as Invisalign may use gentle pressure on the teeth to align them and repair the gap.
Incorrect Bites:
Bad bites that are not treated can lead to chewing and swallowing difficulties. Braces are used in orthodontics to correct malocclusions, giving you a more natural bite. Various treatment alternatives are available depending on the type and severity of your dental condition.
Will insurance cover the cost of the child's braces?
Because there is no “one-size-fits-all” standard for coverage, it is dependent on your health fund and the level of extra coverage, so check with your insurance provider before beginning therapy.
Most basic extras policies don’t cover orthodontic treatment, so you will need a higher level of insurance to receive reimbursement.
If you don’t already have any health insurance, you’ll need to consider your options to see whether it’s more cost-effective to start with or without. Typically, most private health funds require a one-year waiting period before covered procedures such as this can be completed, so you will need to decide whether you require it.
Why should malocclusions be treated?
Malocclusion is an incorrect alignment of teeth that makes it difficult to chew or bite. If not treated, this condition can harm one’s oral and digestive health. Because of genetic predispositions or poor oral hygiene, most individuals suffer from some form of malocclusion.
If a malocclusion is not corrected, it might cause additional issues, such as tooth decay. It’s more challenging to maintain excellent oral hygiene when the teeth aren’t fitting properly together.