18860 W. 10 Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075
Are you or a loved one getting braces for the first time? It can be a bit nerve-wracking not knowing what to expect. Getting braces is a unique experience and will take some getting used to over the first few days and weeks after treatment has started.
There is no greater feeling than running your tongue over your beautiful, straight teeth after your braces are removed and then taking the first peek in the mirror. Over time, the novelty of that feeling fades, and your straight teeth become a regular part of your appearance that you become accustomed to seeing.
It’s not uncommon for children to have some form of speech defect or impediment from when they begin babbling in infancy through the toddler years. Most children reach developmental milestones and outgrow these issues, while there is a percentage who continue to display concerning speech delays. The concept of speech is a complex process where many issues can come into play. Speech can be impacted by a multitude of body and development functions such as hearing issues, nerve and muscle control, the brain’s processing ability, and birth defects, not to mention the tongue, lips, vocal cords, nasal cavity, and the placement of teeth and jaw bones.
During the infancy stage, and even in the womb, it is natural for a baby to suck their thumb. It is a self-soothing technique and actually helps to teach about the environment around them. It can also be used as a coping mechanism when a child is feeling anxious or overwhelmed with a situation. When a child is in the infant and toddler stage, using a method to self-soothe such as a pacifier or thumbsucking is appreciated by parents because it helps with a sleepless night or a tantrum. However, at a certain age, pacifier use and thumbsucking become a problem in regards to teeth.
Years ago, it was common to wait to receive any orthodontic treatment until all of the baby teeth were out of the mouth and the adult teeth had grown in. Now, it is common for a child’s teeth and jaw to be evaluated while the baby teeth remain. Intervention at this stage can modify the way teeth grow, which in turn can reduce the length of time that braces may be needed in the future. The jaw is corrected when a child is young, and the permanent teeth grow in straighter when they become older.
We’re so used to same day or next day delivery from stores like Amazon and Target, why should getting straight teeth be any different? The one downside to most clear aligners is the wait time between the initial office visit and when the aligners arrive. This can take weeks, which delays the start of your treatment. Imagine coming to our office for your initial appointment and leaving the same day, ready to start treatment.
Dental check ups in children should begin as soon as their teeth erupt, but they should begin consultations with an orthodontist no later than the age of 7 or 8. Orthodontic treatments usually begin between the ages of 9 and 14, when permanent teeth are still growing and developing and issues related to their growth can be fixed on time.
In an ideal world, your teeth should fit easily together with no crowding, spacing, or overlaps. In reality, about 15 to 20% of the American population suffers from malocclusion, or a misaligned bite. A misaligned bite can develop from various conditions or habits, including a cleft lip or palate, thumb sucking, abnormally shaped teeth, mouth breathing, and tumors in the jaw. The good news, however, is that there are options to correct this common dental issue. Read on to find out more.
While the mention of braces makes most people picture teenagers, orthodontic treatments can be even more effective when the patient is younger. If a child as young as 7 is already showing signs of crowding or misplaced teeth, spaces between teeth, mouth breathing, difficulty when they eat or chew food, or teeth that protrude, it’s a good idea to have them evaluated. Orthodontic treatments during these younger years will improve the outcome of treatments they may need as teens.
The immediate benefits of orthodontic treatment are quite noticeable. Patients come into our office with crooked and crowded teeth; upper teeth that stick out; and bites that need to be corrected, such as overbites, underbites, and crossbites. After treatment, they walk out with straighter, better aligned teeth that, when followed up with retainer use, can last a lifetime. It’s not just the appearance of teeth that are improved by orthodontic treatment, though. There are other benefits that may not be as noticeable, but are just as important to maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile.
