If you are like most kids (and we were all kids once), you either had braces as a kid or had friends who did. And, if you are like many adults, you get a chuckle now and again when looking at photos of those metal-mouthed teenagers. Though it might seem funny now to reflect on those days long ago of metal braces in one out of every three or so months, it probably didn\u2019t feel so funny then. Thankfully, modern dentistry has evolved since then, as has pediatric orthodontics.<\/p>\n
Have you ever noticed that fewer and fewer teenagers seem to have braces these days? Yet, it also appears that more and more youngsters have orthodontics. And what is this whole Invisalign thing? How can it be that just a couple of short decades later, an entirely new approach to pediatric orthodontics has made itself known?<\/p>\n
What other changes has pediatric orthodontics seen since you were a kid?<\/p>\n
When we were kids, it seemed like the concept of getting braces didn\u2019t come into play until our teenage years. And it sure felt like an inopportune time, especially when dating, hanging out at the bowling alley, and spending hours upon hours at the mall with friends had become a way of life.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s kids, however, have the advantage of partaking in early orthodontic evaluations<\/a>. Though there are many reasons why early orthodontic evaluations are vital to your child\u2019s health<\/a>, perhaps the most critical is that it helps your child take charge of their oral health by developing a satisfactory kids\u2019 oral hygiene routine<\/a>.<\/p>\n Another advantage that today\u2019s youngsters (and their parents) have is that by seeing a pediatric orthodontist or a pediatric dentist who can practice orthodontics, such as Dr. Mo, they may need fewer treatments down the road. Even if your child doesn\u2019t have their adult teeth by the age of seven when an orthodontic evaluation is recommended, a kids\u2019 dentist can scan your child\u2019s mouth to predict when the adult teeth might come in. This makes it easier to identify future risks due to overcrowding, sleep problems, and high palate.<\/p>\n Crooked teeth<\/a> can indicate future health problems, and this wasn\u2019t as widely understood just a couple of decades ago. Crooked teeth can be linked to various medical ailments, including but not limited to gum disease, jaw pain, and sleep apnea.<\/p>\n Not only that, but as mental illness has become higher on our radars, we all have a better understanding of the link between self-confidence with depression and anxiety. This means that when pediatric dentists have the opportunity to assess patients at an earlier age, certain conditions can be corrected earlier on. And pediatric braces provide an excellent solution that helps children get straight teeth sooner.<\/p>\n Though Invisalign isn\u2019t for everybody and your kids\u2019 dentist should be trusted to guide your child toward the right solution for them, this type of technology not only straightens teeth but provides a discretion that aids in maintaining and boosting self-confidence. When Invisalign is the right solution for your child, it can also mean a lessened risk of cavities<\/a>.<\/p>\n Not only is Invisalign discrete, but it isn\u2019t permanent. This means that your child can remove the Invisalign trays before meals and for tooth-brushing and flossing<\/a>. The result is that less food debris gets stuck between teeth and the wires of the braces.<\/p>\n If you are the parent of a child who sucks their thumb or is attached to the pacifier, then you probably know that repeated exposure to thumb and pacifier sucking can result in a narrowing of the roof of the mouth. This ongoing exposure can lead to problems with developing teeth down the road. Therefore, it is more important than ever to bring your child in for an early orthodontic evaluation.<\/p>\n2. Early intervention reduces the need for future pediatric orthodontic treatments.<\/h2>\n
3. Today\u2019s pediatric dentists have a greater understanding of how straight and crooked teeth affect dental health and whole health.<\/h2>\n
4. Modern technology, such as Invisalign, offers discretion while providing your child with straighter teeth.<\/h2>\n
Let the Must Love Kids team show you how pediatric orthodontics has changed.<\/h2>\n