3 Reasons We May Suggest Orthodontic Care

Posted January 27, 2016

When you schedule a dental checkup with us for your child, our primary concern is monitoring the oral health of your child and offering treatment suggestions to maintain that health when necessary. As we watch your child’s smile develop, if it appears that smile is headed for misalignment, we may suggest orthodontic care. Parents often assume incorrectly that aligning a smile with orthodontics is strictly cosmetic in nature. In fact, we would like you to consider a few reasons why agreeing to straighten your child’s smile is extremely important.

Reason #1: To Prevent Hygiene-Based Disease

A misaligned smile is often one that includes teeth that overlap, teeth spaced apart from one another, and rotated teeth. Unfortunately, misaligned smiles can be very difficult to keep clean with brushing and flossing. Your child may have difficulty cleaning all tooth surfaces. Or, food and debris may commonly become trapped. Align those teeth with orthodontic care to improve protection against tooth decay and gum disease.

Reason #2: To Avoid Functional Disorders

Beyond hygiene issues exist problems that affect the function of your child’s oral structures. This may include bruxism, a problem that includes teeth grinding and teeth clenching – and TMJ disorder, an issue that occurs when jaw joints become strained or damaged. Aligned teeth fit together comfortably, so there is no need to shift teeth to seek out a comfortable bite – misaligned teeth do not fit together. As a result, your child may develop functional problems as he or she seeks out comfortable ways to speak, chew, and rest.

Reason #3: For Improved Confidence

It’s important to consider the significance of the cosmetic aspect of a straight smile. Your child’s smile is a prominent feature that makes a strong first impression. Aligning your child’s teeth with orthodontic care in his or her younger years can often relieve some stress from the teen years when building one’s self-esteem is often challenging yet very important.