I remember when I was a child, my parents would tell me that if I didn’t brush my teeth every day and floss regularly, they’d fall out. While this isn’t a direct threat to your child’s teeth (sorry), it’s still important to develop good dental habits from an early age.
One of the easiest ways to do this is by taking your child for regular checkups with an orthodontist Doncaster (also known as an oral surgeon). The following are some reasons why you should have your kids see one:
Losing Baby Teeth Early
You may be wondering, “What if I lose one of my baby teeth early? Does that mean he’s going to need braces?”
It’s important for your child to keep his baby teeth for as long as possible because they’re necessary for chewing food and speech. If a tooth is lost prematurely, it can cause problems with jaw growth and bite alignment. It can also interfere with facial development by obstructing the space where permanent teeth will eventually grow.
Of course, there are some situations in which losing a baby tooth early is unavoidable—you might have to pull it because of decay or injury (or even an unfortunate run-in with an ice cream cone). In these cases, it’s important that you talk to your orthodontist Doncaster about how best not only to manage the problem but also prevent further issues down the road!
Concerned About The Way Their Smile Looks
If your child is concerned about how their smile looks, they may have a legitimate reason to be worried. The first signs of crowding or spacing problems often start to show in early childhood.
If you think that something is off, then you should talk to your pediatric dentist right away. They will be able to tell if there is anything wrong, and they can recommend treatment options if needed (like braces).
You can also spot orthodontic issues by looking at other parts of the mouth and face—for instance, an underbite or crossbite might indicate crowding in one area of the jaw that could lead to other problems down the road.
A kids orthodontist will be able to check for all these things during an initial exam and give recommendations on how soon treatment should begin based on what needs fixing now vs what might develop later on when your child reaches adolescence or adulthood.
Thumb sucking
Thumb sucking is a common habit among children, but it can cause dental problems if not managed properly. If your child sucks their thumb, they may suffer from a crossbite or an open bite, which means that their top teeth are longer than their bottom teeth. This can put stress on the jaw joint and lead to TMJ (temporomandibular joint) syndrome as they grow older.
If you find that your child sucks their thumb frequently and you’re worried about possible dental issues arising because of this habit, it may be worth having them or visiting an orthodontist who specializes in treating children before any major damage is done. The specialist will be able to identify any potential problems and advise you on how best to manage them moving forward.
Concerns with chewing or biting
If your child is frequently biting, chewing, or mouthing on toys, fingers, clothing, and pencils (or other objects), consult a kids orthodontist. These are all signs that they may have an issue with jaw alignment or growth issues that need to be addressed by a professional.
A child who bites their tongue while chewing often has an underlying issue with dental alignment as well. If this is the case for your child, it’s important not to ignore the issue so that it doesn’t worsen and become more painful for them as they age.
How often will we have to visit the kid’s orthodontist?
You’ll be visiting the orthodontist every six months for a checkup. If you have any concerns about your child’s teeth, schedule an appointment with the orthodontist earlier than six months if possible.
For example, if your child has a health condition that affects their teeth or mouth, such as an illness or diabetes, it’s important to see them sooner rather than later.
If you suspect that something might be wrong with your child’s jaw alignment (such as an underbite), it’s best to consult with a kids orthodontist as soon as possible so they can begin treatment before it becomes problematic and difficult to treat later on in life.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many reasons to have your child see an orthodontist Doncaster. The best advice we can give is to go for regular checkups with your dentist and talk about your child’s teeth with him or her. If you start early and preventative measures don’t work, it’s important that the first time an orthodontist sees your child, it’s not because of pain or other serious symptoms.
