Concerned About Your Child’s Dental Health? Learn About Some Dental Issues Parents Should Check
In the past, the trend for orthodontic treatment was to wait until most or all of a child’s permanent teeth had come in. However, most orthodontic problems are much easier to correct sooner rather than later. This is why professionals recommend and insist upon early orthodontic treatment. If your child’s smile is concerning to you, you may be wondering what you as a parent can do to ensure they have the best growth and development. We’ve put together some dental issues parents should check if they are concerned about their child’s dental health. Identifying and correcting oral health issues early on can make a huge difference in both the cost and invasiveness of future treatments as they grow. At Orthodontists Associates of Western New York, we stress the importance of early orthodontic treatment for that very reason.
Proper Growth of Teeth
Parents often ask, “What should I be looking for on my children to know whether there’s an issue that I need to see an orthodontist about?” We always describe the growth and development aspects of orthodontics at a younger age and tell those parents why they are most important to treat. Growth and development discrepancies may exist in the widths of the child’s upper and lower jaws. One thing we want to see is the upper jaw biting on the outside of the lower jaw like a doorframe fits a door. If we see that the doorframe is too narrow, causing the upper jaw to bite on the inside of the lower jaw, it’s important to see an orthodontist at a younger age – between six and eight. At that age, we can widen that upper jaw very easily.
Overjets
Another one of the dental issues parents should check, which is also something we look for is a big overjet. An overjet occurs when the upper and lower central incisors overlap. Starting orthodontic treatment early allows us the necessary time to really help the lower jaw to grow forward if we need it to do so, or to push the upper jaw back into a better position. This helps to correct the overjet before it has a chance to develop
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Underbites
Another type of dental issue parents should check for is an underbite. As orthodontists, we want to address underbites as early as we can as it tends to be the most genetically affected bite we see. If either of the parents have an underbite, we often see it with their kids as well. Identifying this bite early is important because we only have one way of fixing this at a young age, and that is to bring the upper jaw forward to help guide it into growing forward. Unfortunately, we lose that ability at 12 to 13 years old, so we want to see these kids young in order to take advantage of the ability to bring that upper jaw into the proper position.
Crowding
Another dental issue parents should check for is crowding of teeth. Look at your child’s upper and lower front teeth. If there is crowding among those upper and lower front adult teeth, there will probably be more crowding as more teeth try to come in. Identifying those situations early, getting in to see an orthodontist at a young age and allowing us to do some expansion – if we need to – to create more space is a really good idea. This will again prevent more costly and invasive treatment down the line if the teeth are allowed to grow in crowded.
Learn About More Dental Issues Parents Should Check By Scheduling A Free Consultation
If you have any questions about these or any other type of dental issue parents should check for when ensuring your child has a healthy smile, please contact our dedicated Buffalo orthodontists to receive a free screening for your child.
Orthodontists Associates of Western New York is proud to offer early orthodontic treatment throughout Buffalo, Lancaster, Olean, Hamburg, Orchard Park, and Dunkirk, New York.
At Orthodontists Associates of Western New York, our reputation as a leader in orthodontic care is based on one thing… Making a Healthy and Beautiful Smile
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