Having issues with any part of your body is never fun and it is all the more painful when your pearly whites are involved. And children are more susceptible to tooth problems as their first instinct is to stuff everything into their mouths. This makes visiting a dentist inevitable.
Teaching your little ones about oral hygiene is very important and you can start this by taking them regularly to see the pediatric orthodontists. Starting this practice at an early age is necessary as they don’t develop dental anxiety and phobia this way. That’s why in this article we discuss at which age you should take your children to see pediatric orthodontists NYC.
The right age to see pediatric orthodontists NYC
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children should have their first dental checkup no later than age 7. That is because children first start out with temporary teeth referred to as baby teeth which fall out to make way for permanent teeth. And usually you can find a mix of permanent and baby teeth in their mouth.
A pediatric orthodontist can easily identify current and potential problems and the earlier it is treated the better. Dental problems are bound to happen, that is why it is necessary to have regular check ups with the dentist so that they can follow the progress of your child’s oral health better.
In the next section, let’s discuss the reasons to see the pediatric orthodontists in detail.
Reasons your little ones need to see the pediatric orthodontists
By age seven your children will have enough permanent teeth for the orthodontists to make informed decisions on their oral health. Pediatric orthodontists specialize in treating and correcting teeth alignment and jaw problems in children and during this period they can recognize many of the orthodontic issues your child may have.
In the following section, we discuss when exactly you need to take your children to see the pediatric orthodontists.
When do you need to see pediatric orthodontists?
Crooked Teeth
When your kids’ baby teeth follow out often the permanent teeth end up growing crooked and uneven. This not only affects their self image but also creates a whole host of dental problems, from decaying to overcrowding of the teeth. That is why it is best to bring your child to see the pediatric orthodontist who will set it right.
Crowded Teeth
By the age of eight it becomes evident if your child has crowned teeth. If there is no space for the permanent teeth to grow on the jaw then it will grow crooked and the front teeth of your kid will look overcrowded. It is better to receive treatment at a young age as one becomes older it becomes difficult as the jaws become harder with age.
Bunny teeth/ Teeth that poke out
If the front teeth are protruding and your kid cannot properly close their mouth because the front teeth on the upper jaw are poking out then it’s best to take your kids to see the pediatric orthodontist. Children have to get braces as early as possible, preferably before they turn 12 years old.
Today’s braces have undergone an evolution. They look more trendy and can be customized to reflect your kids favorite cartoon characters or sport teams. Many parents question the use of X rays on their children and we have discussed just that in the following section.
Are X rays necessary for my children?
Pediatric orthodontics is the stream of dentistry that specializes in braces for kids. To properly diagnose dental problems and find out where the permanent teeth will grow, X rays are required.
Today’s technology means X rays emit significantly less radiation than ever and helps in accurately diagnosing the dental problems your kids face. This way a better treatment plan can be designed and braces can be customized accordingly.
What to expect during your child’s first dental evaluation?
Pediatric dentistry has come a long way and the main focus when you visit our clinic, New York Dental Clinic with your child is to first assess the oral health and development. We have a two pronged approach where our dentists will be checking for current dental problems as well as dental problems that may occur in the future.
By identifying them early on we can take measures that will help correct the problems before they develop into something more serious. From misalignment to overbites we have solutions that will remedy your children’s teeth.
In the next section, we have discussed what to expect after a dental evaluation.
What happens after the dental evaluation?
Early evaluations are great because they allow the pediatric orthodontists to treat your kids teeth in a proactive way rather than a reactive way. It gives them the opportunity to provide the treatment when they need it the most.
After the first dental evaluation our dentists will use fixed or removable orthodontic appliances for a specific period of time on one or both jaws depending on the patient’s needs. Using orthodontic appliances will help correct jaw growth, create space for the growing teeth, and allow facial muscles to develop normally.
After the initial phase of the treatment our dentists will remove the orthodontic appliance and will begin a period of observation. During this time a retainer might be given to your kid in order to keep their teeth stable. Our team will monitor the progress for 4-6 months and keep a tab on the development.
Braces or aligners are often used to move the teeth into their permanent position after the initial treatment. This completes the bite correction progress and leaves your kids with a bright healthy smile.
Conclusion
New York Dental Clinic is the most sought after dental clinic and all our dentists are board certified with many years of experience under their belt. We pride ourselves in providing the best dental treatment in the area and our dentists can cater to all age groups efficiently. So, if you want your kids to have bright healthy smiles then book your next appointment with us at the earliest.
