Dental health experts recommend you take your child for a checkup soon after their teeth surface. Early dental healthcare prevents the possibility of developing serious dental health complications later in life. It also helps your child create the right level of oral health awareness from infancy and into adulthood. It is important to remember that oral health also affects general wellness. For example, your child will not eat well when their teeth are aching.
Similarly, they will have a hard time pronouncing words and developing language when they lose their teeth at the wrong time. If your child has already lost some teeth, you should take them to an orthodontist for orthodontic treatment. Here are three ways you can tell your child has developed dental health complications that need the attention of an orthodontist.
When They Lose the Baby Teeth Too Early
The first teeth come in from the time the child is around six months and continue growing for the first few years. On the other hand, milk teeth like the incisors and canines come out or are shed from the time your child is six years and onwards.
However, you should see an orthodontist when your child starts losing their teeth earlier than usual. Early tooth loss could be an indication that your child has a developing gum condition. It could also be due to excessive tooth overcrowding. In this case, an orthodontist will diagnose the cause of the early tooth loss and recommend the best treatment.
When They Start Sucking Their Thumb
Thumb sucking is another common cause of oral health problems in little children. Many children develop the behavior as a self-soothing mechanism. For example, you might find that a toddler sucks their thumb every time they cry because it helps them calm down. With time, the behavior becomes constant, and your child resorts to it even when they are bored.
The presence of a foreign object in the mouth at all times changes the way your child's teeth grow. It also increases the chances of germs getting introduced into the mouth. However, an orthodontist can assess the damage and recommend a treatment that will help end the thumb-sucking habit.
When the Teeth Are Visibly Overlapped
Children's teeth often overlap when some grow larger than the available space. An orthodontist may notice that your child has overlapping teeth even before you do. They might recommend removing the extra teeth that are causing overlapping. They might also prescribe braces and other alignment methods to bring order back into the child's mouth.
Although the general dentist can handle most of the dental problems your child develops, others may require orthodontic treatment. The essential thing is getting a competent orthodontist as soon as you realize your child is developing any of the above dental health issues. With their help, you will minimize your child's tooth and bite problems.
Share
