Family Orthodontist in Overland Park: Orthodontics in Early Childhood and Why It’s Important
Orthodontics often takes center stage during the tumultuous teen years, but its spotlight should shine just as brightly in the early acts of childhood. A family orthodontist in Overland Park plays a crucial role in warding off bite problems that, if left unattended, could lead to a painful encore of tooth alignment issues and lasting damage to the mouth and jaw. So, what are the usual suspects contributing to this off-key harmony of misalignment? Let’s find out.
- Genetics is a significant factor that affects how the teeth form and come in
- Thumb sucking can cause damage to how the teeth are aligned, according to a teen orthodontist in Overland Park
- Prematurely losing baby teeth due to improper tooth hygiene issues
Since we have now established some common causes for why orthodontics is needed, let’s visit some reasons why a family orthodontist in Overland Park might think orthodontia is best for your child.
- Their self-esteem is low due to teeth alignment or smile
- Your child has a misaligned jaw that is causing pain
- Your child grinds their teeth when nervous or throughout the night
- Your child has experienced tooth decay or various periodontal diseases
- Your child has developed a speech problem
- Your child has been involved in an accident that has caused the jaw or teeth to be affected
Now that we understand why a young child might need orthodontics, let’s talk about the different ages and some examples of what one might need throughout childhood development when it comes to orthodontics.
Family Orthodontist in Overland Park: Early Childhood
Early childhood for orthodontics usually begins between the ages of 2-6. The most common problems for this age are thumb sucking and teeth grinding. A family orthodontist in Overland Park might educate parents and children on the importance of learning new coping behaviors and possibly install a dental appliance to prevent the shifting of teeth.
Family Orthodontist in Overland Park: Middle Childhood
This age is a very common age to begin to seek orthodontics treatments. This is the stage where more permanent teeth are coming in. Misalignment of permanent teeth is apparent, and it’s a great time to mold the teeth and jaw into perfect alignment. Many children during this phase will get a dental appliance, either installed or removable, depending on what their family orthodontist in Overland Park recommends. It’s also essential to teach your child excellent dental hygiene and how to clean their new appliances. This is to ensure that the optimal results are achieved.
Family Orthodontist in Overland Park: Late Childhood
This age usually ranges from 13-18. This is the teenage years that so many people corollate with braces. The main goal for this age group is to achieve a smile they can feel confident with, which includes straight teeth. After the course of treatment, your teenager may have to wear a permeant or removable retainer to keep the desired results.
A teen orthodontist in Overland Park knows that orthodontics is one of the most effective ways of treating abnormalities in the jaw and teeth. Most people do not bring in their kids for orthodontic treatment until the condition is considered very obvious.
However, treating children as young as 7 for orthodontics treatment can not only prevent major abnormalities but can catch problems before they increase in severity. As a parent, it’s a good idea to know what signs to look for when it comes to seeking out a family orthodontist in Overland Park. Here’s what you should keep an eye on regarding your child’s dental health.
- Does your child bite their cheeks?
- Does your child have pain or sensitivity when they bite or chew food?
- Do you hear a popping sound when they move their jaw when talking or eating?
- Do you notice gaps between their teeth that seem excessive?
- Are your child’s teeth growing in crooked?
- Does your child have an over or underbite preventing them from opening and closing their mouth correctly?
- Do you notice your child snores regularly?
- Do you notice your child is mouth breathing?
- Is your child still a thumb sucker, even though they are past the toddler stage?
- Does your child complain of headaches or jaw pain?
If you answered yes to some or all of these questions, it might be time to seek out an evaluation from a family orthodontist in Overland Park.
Now that we know some signs to look for as a parent, there are other things that might require assistance from a kids orthodontist in Overland Park. When your child’s baby teeth are coming in straight most parents breathe a sigh of relief; however, this does not mean that adult teeth are developing under the surface properly. Additionally, as molars and wisdom teeth start to come in, it can cause a host of problems. Molars and wisdom teeth can cause the mouth to crowd, which can be painful for your child.
These examples can be spotted by a family orthodontist in Overland Park ahead of time, which can help prevent pain to your child in advance. Here are some other reasons why it is wise to bring your child to a kids orthodontist in Overland Park while they are still young.
- It reduces the chance of having permanent teeth removed later on in childhood
- Reduces the chances of shifting teeth and the likelihood of them becoming more crooked
- Closes gaps in your child’s teeth
- Makes sure your child’s jaw development is aligned and functioning properly
- Ensures that overcrowding of teeth, which is common in children, doesn’t cause future pain or misalignment
Welcome to Starting Point Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics! We’re the architects of stunning smiles that light up Kansas City brighter than a firefly’s glow. If you’re on a quest for a children’s orthodontist in Overland Park, kids orthodontist in Overland Park, or a teen orthodontist in Overland Park, consider your hunt over! We believe orthodontic care should be as unique as your kiddo’s laugh. That’s why we offer a range of treatments from clear braces in Overland Park to ceramic braces and metal braces. Got a case of crowded chompers or crooked canines? We’re the crooked teeth and crowded teeth orthodontists in Overland Park you’ve been searching for.
And guess what? Our Overland Park services are as budget friendly as they are top-notch. We accept most dental insurance and offer interest-free payment options. Special discounts? We’ve got those too for our brave military families and those with multiple braces champions. From the cutting-edge Clarity by 3M in Overland Park to the ever-popular Invisalign, our team is ready to add some sparkle to your smile.
Let’s make Kansas City shine, one smile at a time! Request an appointment here or call our clinic at 913-553-2492 and let us add some sparkle to your smile!
