subject: Experience An Improved Smile With Orthodontic Available Treatments [print this page] Orthodontics is a field of dentistry that deals with corrections involving the alignment of your jaw and teeth. Typically, children between the ages of seven and 14 are candidates for braces because their facial structures are still developing. However, adult braces are currently available as well-requiring additional procedures to accommodate for their already fully developed facial structures. For an array of reasons, including thumb sucking or a traumatic injury, children's teeth can become crooked or their jaw can become misaligned. Understanding the importance of straight teeth and the benefits of braces will help your child smile bigger than ever.
Talk to Your Kids About their Teeth
Let's have a tooth talk. There are many children that don't have perfect teeth, and that is perfectly normal. Inform your child that it is normal to not have a perfect smile, and to take a look at their classmates' teeth-each child has a unique smile. Many children in your child's class probably don't have straight teeth either because sometimes teeth just don't grow in evenly.
Your child may have crooked teeth, or their upper and lower jaws may not be the same size. Either way, this is referred to as malocclusion, which comes from the Latin word that means "bad bite." Your dentist in Bolingbrook may notice one of these problems during your child's initial visit and may recommend that your child visit an orthodontist for determining an appropriate treatment plan with braces.
How do Braces Work?
Dental braces are a type of orthodontic treatment used to correct teeth that are crowded, crooked, protruding, out of alignment or have irregular spacing. By moving your teeth into their ideal position, dental braces help to create a more attractive and healthier smile for children and adults. When teeth are crooked or crowded, it is often difficult to keep them clean. If brushing and flossing cannot be properly completed, tooth decay, gum disease and even tooth loss can occur.
An improper bite can also significantly interfere with your ability to chew and speak properly, as well as cause abnormal wear to the enamel of your teeth. If your teeth protrude and/or your upper and lower teeth do not come together properly, jaw problems may arise as well. By using braces to keep your teeth in proper alignment and allowing better oral hygiene, dental braces do more than just keep your smile looking good, they help keep your mouth healthy and functioning.
Benefits of Early Treatment
If your child has a problem such as the upper jaw being too narrow, or an underdeveloped lower jaw, this can be corrected with a functional jaw orthopedic appliance to correct the problem. Minor tooth crowding can also be corrected early if it appears as though it may compromise the eruption of other permanent teeth. It is also less expensive to correct a problem when the patient is younger rather than wait for the problem to become more serious in the future.
Some benefits of early treatment also include:
*Improves profiles, smiles and self-esteem
*Corrects harmful habits, such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting
*Functional appliances develop the arches and make more room for the tongue
*Improves speech
*Reduces the amount of time spent in fixed braces
*Increases nasal breathing which improves health
*Eliminates grinding of the teeth at night
*Prevents headaches and earaches
Functional appliances work with your child's growth and development in order to guide the jaws to their proper size. If you have noticed any problems in your child's bite or teeth contact your dentist in Encino for a proper assessment of your child's teeth. It is never too early to begin perfecting your child's smile.
by: Gen Wright
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