Today's Healthy Child: Orthodontics For Kids

>> Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Posted By: Carol Phillips 12 days ago

Every child has some sort of orthodontic need during their childhood years. It's important that those needs are addressed at an early age.

Orthodontist Dr. Kirt Simmons says most orthodontists suggest scheduling your child's first appointment around the age of 7.

"That's an age at which typically the first permanent molars in the back are already in and they're starting to what we call switch from baby to grown up teeth."

He says the first appointment will be mostly a consultation.

"Typically, the orthodontist will examine your child. They'll tell you what particular problems they see, what the consequences of those problems may or may not be, and they'll recommend some treatment, times and options."

And he says kids shouldn't be afraid. "Typically, we would just use a dental mirror; we don't use anything sharp or pokey, there's no shots or anything like that, actually no bad taste, other than sometimes the gloves don't taste particularly wonderful. And that's typically all and it's usually a relatively a short appointment."

Simmons says orthodontic problems can sometimes be genetic or often a result from sucking their fingers or thumb.

"That causes a problem where they can't bite right in the middle and causes them to have to slide their jaw one direction or the other. That should be treated fairly early because if a child always postures off to the same side their jaw can actually grow kind of crooked," he explains. "And an easy way to kind of look for that is the line between the middle of the top and bottom teeth should line up when your child bites together. If that's off, then that may indicate that that's a problem."

Dr. Bryan Burke says the earlier age a problem is found, the easier, faster and less expensive it can be to treat. He encourages parents to get their child in to see their dentist by at least age 2, and to ask their child's dentist when he thinks it's time for a visit to the orthodontist.

Source: Today's Healthy Child: Orthodontics For Kids


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