Most children are not fans of going to the dentist, let alone when they are around seven years of age and need to attend their first orthodontic appointment.
In the UK this is a part of general screening to prevent issues with dental misalignment in the future and it can come as a bit of a shock to the majority of parents and indeed children when it is found that the child will need to wear a brace.
Before you let your child talk you out of the idea of letting them wear a brace, consider the many advantages that undertaking this treatment at this age can have for them. While they may not be happy with you in the short term, in the long term they will almost certainly thank you, as having to have any treatments delayed into their adult years would be expensive.
So what are some of the advantages of orthodontics Weybridge for children?
Help with speech
It is astonishing how much the position of the teeth in the mouth impacts speech.
The majority of children who have a lisp or other speech impediment often find that this is linked to a misalignment in their front teeth. In simple terms, their tongue cannot hit their teeth as it needs to pronounce certain words correctly. By having your child’s teeth straightened with a brace early in life, you can prevent any prolonged issues with speech.
Prevent oral health issues
Next comes the link between misaligned teeth, tooth decay and gum disease. Straighter teeth are easier to clean and many children may already struggle with brushing their teeth correctly. If your child has misaligned teeth, it is statistically likely that they are missing certain areas in their mouth when they are brushing and so bacteria are building in these areas which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. By having their teeth straightened with a brace, you can prevent these issues from occurring, which will lead to better overall oral health.
Prevent physical health issues
Following on from this is the link between excessive plaque in the mouth and secondary health complications, such as the risk of stroke, heart attack and even diabetes and cardiovascular disease. By having your child’s teeth straightened at an early age, you prevent them from building up enough plaque in their mouth to lead to these serious issues later in life.
Allow for better sleep
Yes, the position of your child’s teeth can even impact how well they sleep. Misaligned molars can cause your child to grind their teeth together when they are sleeping, which will not only cause sleep disturbances, but may also lead to headaches and jaw pain in the morning. By having your child’s teeth straightened you may be helping them get a good night’s sleep.
Prevent future issues from occurring
Misaligned teeth have been linked to a range of oral health complications, such as higher incidence of tooth decay, gum disease and even dental extraction. By undertaking this treatment earlier in life, you are preventing your child from experiencing these issues.