Is your child’s malocclusion really bothering you? If so, get them to our dental practice, Bay Area Smiles, so that we can diagnose them using state-of-the-art technology and provide the best solution to their condition. Our excellent and well-trained staff are amazing at handling young patients and make them feel at home. This allows us to treat them in a better way without a fuss.

The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends parents to take their children for their first orthodontic consultation by the age of seven. This is when the milk teeth start to fall off and the permanent teeth emerge. They require special attention during this phase to ensure their teeth do not appear crooked. 

Is your child scared to go to the dentist?

Not only children, but even adults may think twice about going to the dentist. This is the result of a common misconception that any dental treatment would be uncomfortable and painful. Our well-experienced dentist, Dr. Hesham Amer, has handled numerous young patients over his long spanning career. He would make sure the procedures are going to be absolutely painless and fun for your kids. He believes that maintaining a close relationship with children is the key to effective treatment, and rightly so!

What could lead to early malocclusion?

There are several factors that could lead to early malocclusion in children. Some of them are:

• Thumb sucking: If your child sucks his/her thumb, chances run high for them to develop some form of malocclusion. This occurs due to the obstruction in the growth of the teeth by the tongue and thumb.
• Mouth breathing: Breathing through the mouth and not the nose could change the patterns of the skeletal muscles in the face and mouth. This can negatively influence the growth of the teeth.
• Using faulty pacifiers: Using a faulty pacifier could affect the growth of the teeth in children. Hence, we always suggest parents get orthodontically correct pacifiers for their children.
• Along with these, other causes such as poor nutrition, improper oral hygiene, etc. also lead to malocclusion.

What’s the best orthodontic solution for kids?

Dental braces are definitely the best treatment solution to malocclusion in kids. When you visit us with your child for their first consultation, we would carefully analyze their mouth, face and neck to check for the signs that are causing the malocclusion. 3D scans and panoramic x-rays are taken to generate digital models of the child’s mouth. Based on this, we would determine the type of braces that would be perfect to treat your child’s condition.

Care during treatment

During the course of the treatment, parents should pay more attention to their child’s oral hygiene. Regular brushing will get rid of any food debris that is stuck in between the teeth and braces. It also considerably reduces the chances of developing cavities. Since the braces consist of brackets and wires, care must be taken to prevent any oral injuries. Regular oral consultations are required for us to keep the treatment in check and to tighten or loosen the wires based on the requirement. It is best to get malocclusion treated at a younger age as the teeth can be moved easily and the facial aesthetics wouldn’t alter much due to this.

Call our office in the Bay Area or schedule an online appointment to learn more about getting orthodontic treatment for your child.