What Problems Can Occur from Dental Malocclusions?
In seeking braces for children, you can find a great orthodontist in Austin to help you. You might think it’s okay to wait until your children are teenagers to learn if they need braces, but it is better to have an early evaluation from an orthodontist. Your routine dentist can recommend an orthodontist so your younger children can have an examination as soon as possible. In addition to taking facial X-rays to see your child’s teeth, your orthodontist can check the size of your child’s palate and jaw. If your child has jaw, palate, or other facial abnormalities, these problems are easier to repair during childhood when the bones are soft and malleable.
Children who have major malocclusions of the primary teeth should wear braces to correct the problems because they will have problems chewing food or enunciating while talking. When a child has dental misalignments that make it difficult for her to brush and floss her teeth, she risks developing deep cavities or gum disease. After an examination during early childhood, you may learn that orthodontic treatment should begin right away. Alternatively, the orthodontist may tell you to return in a year for a new examination to determine if your child has developed dental malocclusions.
What are the Benefits of Braces for Children?
Today, many children in Texas will need some type of braces, and these devices offer multiple benefits for your child’s oral health, including:
• Realigning the primary teeth to make room for larger permanent teeth
• Changing the growth or the position of the jaw
• Ability to eat nutritious foods such as raw vegetables and fruits
• Preventing speech problems caused by dental malocclusions
• Making it easier to brush and floss teeth
• Avoiding gingivitis or halitosis
• Preventing bruxism or temporomandibular joint disorder
• Increasing a child’s self-esteem
• Reducing problems from sores in the interior cheeks from misaligned teeth
• Making it easier to wear mouthguards while playing sports
• Protecting the sensitive alveolar bones in the mouth
What are the Different Types of Braces for Children?
There are different types of braces for children, including traditional metal brackets and wires. Younger children often wear these types of braces, and modern metal braces have smaller brackets and thinner wires. However, if your child is worried about wearing braces that others can see, then there are other options. An orthodontist can place the brackets on the backs of the teeth, or you can request ceramic brackets that are clear. Children must use more precautions when eating and drinking with ceramic brackets so the items aren’t easily stained. All of these types of braces require routine orthodontic office visits to tighten the wires. When you want to reduce your orthodontic office visits, you can select self-ligating braces that adjust without manual tightening.
Get In Touch with Us for More Information
To learn more about the benefits of braces for children, feel free to reach out and make an appointment with Central Texas Orthodontics. At our convenient location in Austin, our caring and dedicated team of professionals will be happy to explain your options in full and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to set up your consultation – we look forward to speaking with you!
