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Dental care must start at a young age. Thus, the reason why there are baby tooth orthodontics (จัดฟันน้ำนม, term in Thai); a special field in dentistry that focuses on children’s orthodontics(จัดฟันเด็ก, this is the term in the Thai). As the children grow, the more concerning dental health should be, especially if the child does not give much importance in oral health. Many children, despite the supervision of adult, skip regular brushing and flossing of the teeth, which could arise to a wide array of dental problems such as cavity build up, chipped tooth, bad breath, and gum-related conditions, to name a few. Tooth alignment can be a concern too, especially if there are missing teeth, gap in between teeth, and crooked alignment. Should the child need dental braces at a young age? How will the mentioned issues be remedied? These can all be addressed by an experienced pediatric orthodontist.
Orthodontics in children
When talking about orthodontics, one of the common words that comes to mind is braces. Can a child have braces at an early age? Will it be possible to install braces even in the presence of baby teeth? The answer is yes provided the child has a mix of both adult and permanent teeth. While many are concerned about aesthetic appearance of the teeth, the primary goal of having braces in children that still have baby teeth is far beyond aesthetic. It aims to address issues like bite problems. Some kids have underbite while others have overbite. There is even a condition called crossbite. These conditions can be easily corrected at an early age, and wearing braces is the ideal remedy to these issues. Another possible reason for having braces in children is to assist or guide the jaw, which will pave a way for the permanent teeth to grow correctly. It can also help in correcting habits that can cause harm to oral health such as tongue thrusting and the habit of sucking the thumb.
When is the best time to see an orthodontist?
As a parent or guardian of children, it is a must to know when is the perfect time to bring the child to a dental appointment. Ideally, it should start once the child reaches 7 years old. Although it can be earlier than 7 year old if you notice oral issues that warrant professional intervention. Sometimes the dental issue look plain and simple at a surface, but only after being seen by a dentist that a serious underlying condition is detected. The orthodontist is the best person to address such issues at the most favorable time. It is important to note that there are a number of dentists specializing in orthodontics in children.
Some of these pediatric orthodontists are not only competent in addressing dental issues, but also have attended training in handling children. Hence, they know very well how to handle pediatric patients, especially those who have fear in dental visits. Hence, when selecting an orthodontist for your children, you have to make sure that the dentist is equip and experienced enough in his/her field.
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