Has your dentist said your child needs orthodontic treatment?  Relax!  There are a number of reasons why he/she may have suggested orthodontic care.  Typically, the primary reason is to correct a malocclusion (“bad bite”) that has been observed.  Malocclusion is a condition in which teeth are crowded, crooked of out of alignment.  In addition, the jaws may not align properly when the teeth fit together.  A malocclusion may be present even though the teeth may appear straight.  Every week I see adult patients’ whose teeth look fairly “straight”, but their bite is actually off significantly.  The abnormal forces on the teeth eventually start to take their toll in the form of broken, worn or loose teeth, problems with the health of the gums, as well as pain and discomfort in the temporomandibular joints (jaw joints or TMJ).

Most people think that braces and teenagers go “hand in hand”.  However, a great number of orthodontic cases begin at a much earlier age.  Why?  Orthodontic treatment that is begun while the child is still growing can produce optimal results.  The orthodontist can actually adapt the growth of the jaws to better align the teeth and improve the function.  Your dentist can spot many problems with emerging teeth and jaw growth early on (often by age 5 or 6), while the baby teeth are still present.

It is incredibly important to correct crooked teeth.  Why?  The benefits are almost endless!  Crooked and crowded teeth are harder to take care of and clean, which may lead to tooth decay, gum disease and possibly tooth loss.  Bad bites can also cause difficulty in speaking and chewing; cause abnormal wear on tooth surfaces; and lead to problems with bony structures, jaw joints and gum tissue.  Correcting these problems early can better assure a much healthier mouth for a lifetime, not to mention an incredible smile.

In addition, crooked teeth can affect a child’s self esteem.  Although the awesome magnificence of a child has nothing to with their smile, a child may grow up feeling bad about his or her smile and hide behind frowns, clinched lips and “shielding” hands.  An attractive smile is an important form of communication and social interaction.  A nice-looking smile is a social asset during the formative school years – and later in the future workplace. Who knows, creating a beautiful smile may give your child a needed boost of confidence!

Successful orthodontic treatment involves an active “partnership” between the orthodontist, dentist, hygienist and patient.  Every member of the team plays a vital part in the success of care.  A cohesive team will typically achieve incredible results.

Today’s braces are different than those of the past.  They can be as unnoticeable – or noticeable as you want them to be!  Brackets – the part of the braces that are attached to the teeth are smaller than before and can be the typical silver colored as well as gold or clear!  Today kids like to “show off” their braces with different shaped brackets (hearts, footballs, etc.) and colored elastic bands that come in an incredible amount of colors.  Colors for all seasons, events and personalities are available.  In the future, orthodontist may even be able to feature tooth-colored or clear wiring!

If someone is looking for long-term oral health, a straight smile is the first step towards success.  Check with your dentist to see if you or your child may be a candidate for orthodontic care.