When an orthodontist recommends braces for kids, they know about the benefits the child will get from the treatment. In fact, with a regime of good dental care and traditional braces, kids can have healthier smiles. Whether kids need braces depends on an orthodontic evaluation. So, scheduling kids for one is the first step in finding out if they will benefit from wearing braces.
Caring for the Teeth Becomes Easier After Treatment
Following treatment with pediatric braces, kids can take better care of their teeth. One problem caused by the untreated dental alignment is overcrowded teeth preventing proper flossing between them and brushing around them. Kids may not try to clean these tight areas. However, after they get straighter teeth with braces, kids can use floss and toothbrushes more easily.
By taking better care of their teeth, kids avoid cavities between teeth when they neglect cleaning the area. Therefore, over time, the kids will have healthier teeth. When combining better home care for the teeth with good preventative dentistry services, kids will have healthy smiles that can last them for life.
Prevent Chipped Teeth and Dental Grinding
While most people think of teeth grinding or bruxism, it can also affect kids as overstressed adults. Children who have jaw misalignments don’t have their teeth fit together as expected. Therefore, even by closing their mouths normally, they may have teeth grind together.
Teeth grinding can lead to chipped teeth and worn-down enamel. Plus, the pressure of grinding can cause pain in the jaw. Correcting misaligned bites can fix these problems in some kids. Therefore, wearing pediatric braces could protect the child from a lifetime of pain and dental problems caused by teeth grinding.
Another issue with misaligned teeth and chips comes when kids who have bite problems need to wear mouthguards for sports. They may not be able to fit the guard into their mouth comfortably. Therefore, they have a higher chance of getting a chipped or broken tooth from playing sports without this protection. Dental braces for kids straighten the teeth to make wearing sports mouthguards possible, thereby protecting the teeth during exercise.
Reduce Speech Problems
Not all kids who have speech problems need dental braces for kids. However, some kids who have malocclusion will have issues with the way they pronounce certain letters. The type of misalignment of the jaw determines the type of speech issues they may experience. Some common type of speech problems that may indicate a need for parents to consult with an orthodontist include:
- Whistling
- Lisping
- Slurring words
- Difficulty articulating consonants
The above issues might happen from gaps between teeth, overbites, or adequate space inside the mouth. Orthodontist treatment could help kids with the above speech problems to overcome them by providing them with better structure inside the mouth to make talking easier. However, kids who needed braces to fix their teeth or jaws to improve their speech may also need speech therapy. While orthodontic care fixes the structures needed for speaking, speech therapy helps kids relearn correct pronunciation.
Lastly, parents concerned about braces causing speech problems should rest assured that the opposite is true. After correcting bite problems by wearing braces, kids have an easier time speaking correctly. The braces don’t cause problems with speech. Any remaining problems with speech after getting orthodontic treatment may require speech therapy to address other issues.
Schedule a Visit at Lovett Dental Cinco Ranch
Kids should have the best dental care starting early in their lives, which for some includes getting braces. All parents should have their kids see an orthodontist. Doing so can identify the best time for the kids to get braces. For dental braces in Cinco Ranch, Texas, contact us at 713-244-7799 or reach us through our online contact form at Lovett Dental Cinco Ranch. Our full range of services includes orthodontic and dental care for kids and their parents.