Orthodontics in children, its time, benefits and disadvantages
Dr. Masoume Yousefi
تهران
The right time to start orthodontics in children
Generally, the right age to see an orthodontist in children is around 7 years old. At this age, baby teeth are still present and permanent teeth are erupting, and the baby's jawbone is still soft and manageable. This opportunity allows the orthodontist to diagnose teeth alignment problems, jaw abnormalities, or overcrowding of the teeth and initiate preventive or corrective treatments if needed. However, the time to start orthodontic treatment varies depending on the type of teeth problem and some conditions may require earlier or later interventions. For example, jaw skeletal problems, such as a forward or backward jaw, may be treated at a younger age, while full alignment of the teeth is sometimes delayed until adolescence.
Benefits of orthodontics in children
Timely orthodontics in children has many advantages, some of which are:
- \*Correcting dental and jaw abnormalities:\* Preventing more severe problems in the future that may require surgery or complex treatments. - \*Improving appearance beauty:\* Increasing the child's self-confidence by aligning the teeth and correcting the smile. - \*Prevention of health problems:\* Reducing the possibility of tooth decay and gum disease due to the difficulty in cleaning messy teeth. - \*correction of speech and chewing problems:\* improving the correct functioning of the jaw and teeth in chewing food and correct pronunciation of words. - \*Decreasing the risk of dental damage:\* Misaligned teeth are more vulnerable to damage, this risk is reduced with orthodontics.
Harms and possible complications of orthodontics in children
Any medical treatment may have side effects, and orthodontics is no exception. But serious complications are relatively rare and can be minimized with proper care:
- **\*Pain and discomfort:\*** During treatment and after orthodontic adjustment, the child may feel pain or discomfort. – **\*Damage to the gums or soft tissue of the mouth:\*** Wires or braces may cause sores or irritation to the gums and the inside of the mouth. – **\*Formation of decay or white spots:\*** If hygiene is not done well, the accumulation of plaque and microbes may cause tooth decay. - **\*Possibility of teeth returning:\*** After the treatment, if retainers are not used, the teeth may return to their original position. – **\*Disturbance in jaw development (rare):\*** In some special cases, inappropriate pressure may affect jaw development.
Important points in children's orthodontic care
