Straight Talk About Crooked Teeth

Straight Talk About Crooked Teeth

As your child’s teeth grow in, there’s a good chance they may not all line up neatly. As your child grows older, misaligned teeth, often the result of genetics, can benefit from orthodontic treatment. Not only can treatment boost his or her confidence and self-esteem as your child grows into adulthood but it can save your child from a variety of health problems.

Misaligned teeth can take many forms—an overbite or an underbite, too much or too little space between teeth. All these conditions can be treated with appliances such as braces, space maintainers and retainers that put gentle pressure on the teeth and the jaws to move the teeth into place. Fortunately for your child, these days many orthodontic appliances are less visible than traditional braces are. In some cases, for example, brackets are bonded to the back of the teeth.

Even if your child does need traditional braces, the long-term benefits are significant. In addition to affecting your child psychologically throughout life, crooked teeth and misaligned bites can

• interfere with proper chewing of food
• make it more difficult to brush and floss, thus increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease
• strain the teeth, jaws and muscles, increasing the risk of breaking a tooth
• cause abnormal wear on tooth surfaces, difficulty speaking and possibly temporomandibular joint disorders

Your child should be screened for orthodontic treatment when he or she is about 7 years old, when permanent teeth start coming in and bones are still growing. While orthodontic treatment is unlikely to start quite that early, future problems can often be spotted even at that young age. If your child has not been evaluated for misaligned teeth, call us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. With proper care, your child will grow into adulthood with a healthy, confident smile.

Click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. Or give us a call at (509)-891-7070.

Start Your Child’s Oral Health Routine Early

Start Your Child’s Oral Health Routine Early

The first year of life for your infant is an important one—with rapid development that sets the stage for health later in life. While you might already be thinking about routines such as sleeping, make sure you don’t neglect the importance of establishing an oral health care routine with your child.

Research suggests that the earlier you start the better. In fact, studies show that a large number of 2- and 3-year-olds already have cavities; some of these children will require invasive treatment and hospitalization. However, good dentist-led education during pregnancy and throughout your child’s first year will give your toddler the best chance for a cavity-free mouth.

If you are pregnant, schedule a visit with us. A scientific study conducted in Australia in 2008 and repeated in 2014 found that a mother’s meeting with a pediatric dentist during pregnancy and again when the child reached 6 and 12 months went a long way toward preventing early childhood cavities.

Because the Internet and other sources of information can be unreliable, it is critical that you receive information from a qualified pediatric dentist. Topics we discuss will range from nutrition and oral hygiene to the use of pacifiers.

Dental care has a significant, positive impact on your child’s quality of life. Conversely, a lack of dental care can have a negative impact. Research shows that early childhood cavities can lead to

• physical symptoms, such as pain, that can lead to malnutrition and delayed growth from a reluctance to eat
• functional problems, including poor chewing and limited communication due to  poor speech and a loss of space in the mouth
• psychological effects from the low self-esteem that results when a child’s mouth and teeth don’t look their best
• a higher risk of future cavities

Don’t wait until your child experiences problems before visiting KiDDS Dental. Infancy is a critical time when it comes to laying down a foundation for good oral health. Setting up an effective oral health routine early is easier than changing unhealthy habits later on.