Children’s orthodontics is a group of dentists dedicated to developing, preventing, and correcting any jaw and tooth positioning problems in young kids. Orthodontic procedures give doctors a chance to identify a disorder early enough and fix it before it gets worse. Children have different orthodontic requirements than adults because jaws and teeth are still developing. Cedar Park children’s orthodontics treats problems such as protruding or extra teeth, spaces between teeth, and an underbite or overbite. Orthodontics treatments have various benefits in children, and here are some.
Early identification
Orthodontists are the first to notice any abnormalities in your child’s teeth and jaw. Identifying and rectifying these issues earlier can save your child from complications or even surgery in the future. Your child’s specialist will offer treatment options to ensure that the teeth and jaw align and properly enhance their normal functioning.
Promotes proper speech
Difficulties in speaking are sometimes related to teeth or jaw problems. Lisping, slurring, and improper pronunciation of letters S and T are the common disorders that your child can face if the jaws or the teeth are not well aligned. Aligning your child’s jaws and teeth while still growing is the best method to eradicate speech issues and ensure it does not occur in the entire life.
Reduces risks of tooth decay
You can easily clean or floss your teeth and access all areas if your teeth are straight. Children with crooked teeth are more likely to have tooth decay due to difficulties in brushing, leading to poor oral hygiene. Crooked teeth can lead to severe health conditions in your child, so you must visit an orthodontist before attaining seven years. Braces and preventive dentistry can help straighten crooked teeth.
Reduces teeth grinding
Teeth grinding is mainly caused by an unaligned jaw. Your child may experience frequent headaches or neck pain if teeth grinding is present. If this problem is not corrected early enough, your child may have future issues. Your child’s doctor can give braces or elastics to shift the jaw to its normal position, relieving the child from discomforting symptoms.
Corrects destructive oral habits
Thumb sucking is a natural habit in kids from birth to the age of five, and some will continue with the behavior later in life. Your child has a higher risk of causing detrimental damage to the teeth if the habit persists past the age of six. Orthodontists give braces to children with this habit to break it.
Improves digestion
Having aligned teeth and jaw allows your child to easily chew food, breaking it into small pieces for proper digestion. A well-positioned tooth enhances efficient biting and chewing. Proper digestion improves the overall development of your kid. Doctors give children braces to line the teeth for efficient digestion and other development factors.
It would be best if you took your child to a well-trained orthodontist before the age of seven to identify and rectify any jaw and teeth impairments. Early detection of these issues will enhance prompt treatment preventing future complications. Schedule an appointment at Freedom Orthodontics to get your child’s orthodontic problems treated.