Smile Brighter with Early Orthodontic Treatment in Karrinyup

Most dentists agree that the most appropriate time to begin orthodontic treatment is when most baby teeth have fallen out and the majority of permanent adult teeth have emerged. This is usually between the ages of 11 and 14.

Though early orthodontic consultation for a child should begin no later than seven years old, orthodontic appliances shouldn’t be installed until most of the permanent adult teeth are in place. This is due to minimal root development before most adult teeth are completely developed. Therefore, starting orthodontic treatment in this age range is the most efficient, as it allows for optimal tooth root development and better results.

Placing braces on your child’s teeth will not be painful. However, there will be an adjustment period. They may notice some pressure or sensitivity after the first few days while their teeth begin the realignment process. The child’s dentist will provide relief wax that can be applied over the braces to prevent irritation on the mouth’s inner cheeks, lips, and other soft tissues. Your child may begin to eat again comfortably after five days as their teeth adjust to the braces and the discomfort during treatment subsides.

Wearing dental braces will not hinder your child from participating in activities or ruin enjoyable school times.

Your child may benefit from an orthodontic procedure if you observe any of the following:

• Crowded or misaligned teeth
• Difficulty biting and chewing
• Irregular gaps between their teeth
• Jaw shift when opening or closing
• Frequent sores or biting of the inner cheeks
• Upper and lower teeth that do not meet
• Prolonged finger or thumb-sucking
• Mouth breathing
• Irregular, early, or late loss of baby teeth

By doing early orthodontic treatment in Karrinyup, a kid’s dentist can do a thorough assessment and help determine if any intervention may be needed, addressing it at an earlier age before more severe dental treatment options may be needed.

The average frequency of visits during the early orthodontic intervention in Karrinyup is every 4 to 8 weeks. But if your child has more complex cases, they may need to see their dentist more frequently. It can vary depending on the extent of dental alignment issues, oral health, age, and other factors.

If you’re concerned about how often your child should go to the dental clinic, you should not worry. Your kid’s dentist will discuss these details with you during the initial consultation.

Yes. There may be a few restrictions on a child’s diet during early orthodontic treatment, which you should help your child adhere to.

The aim is to minimise potential breakages from eating too tough, chewy, or sticky food. Most young patients can still continue to enjoy eating as long as they stick to softer foods such as the following:

• Fresh fruit cut into small bites
• Steamed, boiled or mashed vegetables
• Leafy salads
• Yoghurt
• Custards
• Tender meat
• Tofu

While some of these restrictions may seem inconvenient, they won’t last forever. It can help your child achieve better results from their dental treatment progress.

Getting dental braces is a big transition for your kids, but extending a hand can help them feel at ease and a little overwhelmed. Good oral hygiene habits and proper care for their orthodontic devices are also crucial to minimise the risk of bacteria.

• Encourage them to brush:
  Motivate them to instil good dental hygiene, such as brushing their teeth twice daily. You may want to buy an electric toothbrush for more efficient brushing.
  
  
• Remind them to do mouth rinses:
  Remind your child to rinse their mouth after eating to reduce food debris.
  
  
• Urge to floss daily:
  You can ask the child’s dentist for recommended flossing products to take out any food particles stuck between metal brackets or archwires of traditional braces.
  
  
• Guide them with dietary restrictions:
  As mentioned, some types of food may be restricted when wearing traditional metal braces. So it’s important to remind and teach them what they can eat to avoid damaging their orthodontic device.

After your child’s early orthodontic treatment process is complete, a retainer is recommended to hold the new positions of their teeth. Wearing this oral appliance will help keep their teeth in place and prevent them from shifting back or moving out of alignment. It’s important to wear the retainer as directed by the dentist to make it possible for your child’s straight smile to be maintained over time!