Orthodontic problems can be frustrating. These don't just affect a child’s appearance—they can cause problems with bite, speech, and overall oral health. Your child deserves a smile they love, and fortunately, it’s within reach through orthodontic treatments.
Orthodontics can:
- Guide proper growth and development
- Prevent crowding or an improper bite
- Reduce the need for complex treatments later
- Make chewing and speaking simpler
- Improve your child’s overall oral health
These treatments are key tohelping your child develop a healthy smile. Dentistes REMA offers orthodontic treatments in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Brossard, Drummondville, Granby, and Warwick.
Common Orthodontic Problems for Children
As your child grows, they should lose their baby teeth and grow their adult teeth. This is completely natural! However, it can sometimes cause unwanted side effects.
Your child could develop problems with jaw growth and adult tooth eruption as early as age 7. These issues can lead to orthodontic issues, such as:
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Overbite (upper teeth sticking out too far)
- Underbite (lower teeth protruding past the upper teeth)
- Crossbite
- Open bite
- Issues with jaw alignment
These are more than cosmetically concerning. Orthodontic problems make it harder to keep your child's teeth clean, and they directly affect your child's quality of life. This is why regular dental visits are so important—they help your child develop a healthy smile.
So as a parent, how can you help?
How to Tell if Your Child Needs Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic problems aren’t always obvious. Knowing what to look for is key to getting your child the treatment they need. Watch for these signs:
- Difficulty biting, chewing, or speaking clearly
- Losing baby teeth too early or too late
- Mouth-breathing (sometimes a result of narrowed airways or jaw misalignment)
- Persistent thumb-sucking habits
- Teeth that don't come together properly when your child bites down
If you notice any of these signs, reach out to our team at Dentistes REMA. We can examine your child's teeth and assess potential concerns.
Orthodontic Options for Children
Children today have access to several orthodontic treatments. Before deciding on the best approach, our team will need to evaluate:
- The type and severity of the orthodontic issue
- Your child's age and overall oral health
- Your child's comfort levels
Invisalign for Children
One popular orthodontic treatment for children is Invisalign. This approach involves a series of clear plastic aligners rather than traditional braces. Each aligner applies low levels of pressure to your child's teeth to gradually shift them to the desired position.
Invisalign is a popular option for kids who prefer a subtle alternative to braces. The aligners are hardly noticeable and removable, so they're much easier to care for and clean.
Interceptive Phase Orthodontics for Children
If your child is developing orthodontic problems but still has some baby teeth, we may recommend interceptive phase orthodontics. This encourages proper development and works to address issues before they become permanent problems.
This treatment targets key development stages. Your child will have to return now and then so we can make minor adjustments. Through interceptive phase orthodontics, we can help your child develop a smile they love.
Myofunctional Orthodontics for Children
Myofunctional orthodontics aims to correct the function of your child's muscles and facial tissue. These treatments support better breathing and facial structure to restore harmony to your child's muscles, bones, and teeth.
This treatment uses uniquely designed orthodontic appliances to target specific areas. It's a noninvasive and effective way to help make breathing, speech, and swallowing more comfortable. It also stabilizes erupting teeth to promote healthy development.
The Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment
Starting orthodontic treatment early can make all the difference in the world:
- Helps guide jaw and facial structure for proper development
- Prevents issues, like teeth crowding or improper bites, from worsening
- Reduces or eliminates the need for surgical or complex treatments later
- Makes chewing and speaking easier at an important stage of growth
- Contributes to your child’s overall well-being through a healthy, aligned smile
These benefits can provide an incredible foundation for proper oral health.
Does Your Child Need Orthodontics?
Early orthodontic treatment can help in a way that makes a true difference. It can solve potential problems before they become bigger challenges.
Through orthodontic treatments, you can help set the stage for healthy development and strong oral health. Schedule an appointment with our team at Dentistes REMA today! Together, we can keep your child's smile healthy and strong.