Pediatric Orthodontics is the specialty of orthodontics dealing with the growth, development, and treatment of children’s teeth, jaws, and facial regions affected by dental irregularities. Children are unique in that they’re constantly growing and changing, so a child’s smile has almost limitless potential.
In this article, we will discuss the signs that you should visit a pediatric orthodontist.
Uneven teeth
You might not realize it, but your teeth can be uneven for many reasons. This can make it difficult to clean the teeth and gums. It can also make it hard to chew food.
Depending on how severe the tooth misalignment is, you may need pediatric orthodontics treatment as an adult.
Overcrowding
Overcrowding occurs when the teeth don’t have room to grow. It can happen when the jaw is too small or if the teeth are misaligned. Crowded teeth may also cause problems with chewing and speaking and lead to other oral health issues.
If your child is showing signs of overcrowding, schedule an appointment with an orthodontist so they can help identify the problem and come up with a treatment plan that works best for your family’s needs.
Tender, swollen, red, or bleeding gums
There are several possible causes of gum pain, including an infection or periodontal disease. Your child’s dentist will determine the cause and recommend treatment options based on that diagnosis. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice painful swelling in your child’s mouth that lasts longer than three days.
Difficulty chewing or biting
Difficulty chewing or biting is a sign that you may have TMJ, also known as a temporomandibular joint disorder. The joint that connects your jaw to your skull can become aggravated, causing pain and difficulty when chewing or biting. If you are experiencing this issue, see a dentist for treatment options.
While it’s not uncommon for people to experience TMJ symptoms during childhood, they tend to fade away as you grow older. But if they don’t go away by adulthood, it could indicate some other underlying problem, such as misalignment of the teeth.
Mouth breathing
Mouth breathing can dry out your mouth, resulting in a dry, chapped sensation. If you’re experiencing this symptom, try using a humidifier at night or during the day to keep your air moist.
Furthermore, the same thing that happens to your mouth can also happen to your lips. They might become chapped and cracked from all the drying.
Dry throat/sore throat/sneezing fits due to postnasal drip/coughing spells or anything affecting your throat. If there’s already a bug going around when you start mouth breathing often, it can worsen because it leads to other complications such as allergies, which would make symptoms like these even worse. In this case, get in touch with your dentist.
A crooked smile
One of the most common signs of visiting a pediatric orthodontist is a crooked smile. A crooked smile can be caused by several things, including:
- An abnormality in the growth of the jaw
- Genetics or trauma/injury to the face or mouth area
If your dentist recommends that you see an orthodontist, it may be because they believe there is a misalignment in your jaw. This misalignment disrupts proper function and creates eating, speaking, and breathing challenges.
Teeth that don’t meet correctly or at all when you bite down
You bite down on your food and notice that one or more of your teeth don’t meet evenly. Also, your speech is affected by the misalignment of your teeth, making it harder for you to communicate effectively. If you experience any of these issues, visit a pediatric orthodontist.
They will diagnose and treat your issues in order to restore your smile. If you are not sure whether or not you should visit a pediatric orthodontist, ask your dentist or pediatrician.
What are the Benefits of Pediatric Orthodontics?
Correct jaw problems
Some children have issues with their jaw when they are born. The jaw problem, in some cases, may not be noticeable until later in life. This can cause serious problems with teeth alignment, leading to several issues, including speech problems or tooth decay and loss.
A Pediatric Orthodontist helps correct jaw problems so that any damage caused by the problem is not permanent or, worse, life-threatening. Children will benefit from correcting a jaw problem early on before it has a chance to become more serious.
Improve Children’s Smile
A common reason parents bring their children in to see an orthodontist is to improve their appearance. If your child has crooked or rotated teeth, they may feel self-conscious about their smile. A pediatric dentistry expert can provide your child with the straight teeth and healthy smile they deserve. Many patients will also receive a full-mouth restoration at the same time so that their teeth are straightened and white and bright.
Improved Functionality
Another reason why many parents bring their children in to see an orthodontic expert because they want them to have better functionality when they eat solid food. If your child suffers from an oral condition such as TMJ disorder, you can use braces to improve their ability to chew and swallow food properly.
Increase children’s self-esteem
Just as adults can feel self-conscious about their smiles, children can feel the same way. Orthodontic treatments can help them develop self-confidence in social settings and throughout their academic careers.
Prevent future problems
Cracked teeth, crowded mouths, and gum disease are just some of the potential consequences of untreated dental problems in this age group. Orthodontics can reduce the risk of these problems by helping kids achieve good oral hygiene habits at an early age.
Prevents tooth decay
Orthodontic care for children can help prevent tooth decay in several ways. According to the study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, children who received orthodontic treatment that led to correctly aligned teeth had a 63% lower risk of developing cavities than those whose teeth remained misaligned.
Key Takeaway
The orthodontist is a good choice for improving your oral health and a superb choice for improving your physical health. It helps minimize and prevent damages caused by unfavorable positions and the development of teeth. Such kinds of disorders are known as malocclusion, whereas orthodontic treatment is also considered an aesthetic procedure.
