Your child should receive regular dental care at least twice a year to ensure that their teeth are growing as they should. In some cases, your child will need to see a specialist known as an orthodontist. Your dentist will recommend that you see an orthodontist, or you may notice some signs that your child is having issues with their teeth, and you can make an appointment then. Typically, orthodontists like to see children before the age of seven to correct any issues with permanent teeth coming in.
Signs That Your Child Needs To See An Orthodontist
You may see several signs that indicate that your child needs to see an orthodontist. These signs include:
- Crooked teeth. If you notice that your child’s teeth are crooked or they have shifted, you will need to make an appointment. Crooked teeth are not just a cosmetic issue. Crooked teeth can make a person feel like not smiling or talking, and it can make it difficult to eat many different foods. Crooked teeth can also cause trouble for cleaning the teeth well, and this can lead to cavities and other dental concerns. The orthodontist will recommend that your child get braces to correct any crooked teeth.
- Gapped teeth. If your child has a large gap between their teeth, they need to see an orthodontist to correct this issue. Having a gap can cause bacteria and food debris to build up. This can lead to tooth decay and infections.
- Underbite or overbite. If your child has an underbite or overbite, you should make an appointment with an orthodontist. An overbite or underbite can be uncomfortable and lead to a wide variety of issues. Treatment for an overbite or underbite includes braces, surgery, and upper jaw expanders.
- Mouth breathing. If you notice that your child is breathing through his or her mouth, you need to immediately make an appointment with the orthodontist. There has been research that has shown that people who breathe through their mouth can have faulty teeth structure and problems with their facial structure. Your child may experience cracked lips, trouble concentrating, a slower than the normal growth rate, and irritability.
- Pain. In some cases, your child may experience pain in their gums, teeth, or jaw due to a dental problem. Taking your child to the orthodontist can help to figure out what is going on to ensure that there are no long-term problems in the future.
Choosing the Right Orthodontist
When you start to look for an orthodontist in new york or your current location, you will find that there are many out there. You will have to choose the one that works best for you and your child. Consider the following:
- Insurance. You will want to make sure that the orthodontist takes your health care insurance. You can find this out by going on their website or giving them a call.
- Location. You will want to find an orthodontist that is relatively close to you. Choosing an orthodontist that is far from you can make it difficult to get to appointments.
- Comfort. You will want to get a good feel for the orthodontist, and you will want to make sure that your child is comfortable with them. If your child is not comfortable or you are not, you will want to find an orthodontist that you like.
- Specializes in children. If you have a young child, you will want to find an orthodontist that specializes in children. An orthodontist that specializes in children will have a brightly colored children-themed office, and their staff will know how to handle children that may be frightened.
- Appointment availability. One of the most important things that you need to do is to find an orthodontist office that has appointments available when you need them. You do not want to spend weeks or even months waiting to get your child in to see the orthodontist.
Early intervention is important when it comes to your child’s oral health. If you ignore things like crooked teeth and mouth breathing, this can lead to issues with dental cavities, gum disease, loose teeth, and more. Seeing the orthodontist at least once will help to ensure that your child will have perfect oral health for years to come.
