The journey to great oral health should begin in childhood. Beyond the cosmetic benefits of straight teeth, orthodontic treatment is often necessary to address underlying oral problems in kids. But what benefits beyond teeth could these treatments provide?
Continue reading to learn how orthodontic treatments contribute to comprehensive oral health.
1. Orthodontic Treatment Fixes Bite Issues
One of the most important benefits of orthodontic treatment is improved bite function. You “bite” is how your teeth fit together. If you look at your pearly whites in the mirror, you’ll notice that they’re not flat, they have ridges and waves. These ridges should fit together when you close your mouth—kind of like puzzle pieces.
If your teeth are out of alignment, there could be pain and sensitivity when your mouth closes. This can lead to other issues that need to be addressed later on, so it’s best to correct your child’s bite early on!
2. Treatment Prevents Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
An unaligned bite can often lead to grinding teeth. This is a very common condition that affects more than three million people every year. If your child doesn’t undergo orthodontic treatment, they may be added to that statistic.
In bruxism, the jaw clenches and the teeth grind against one another. This can lead to jaw pain, chipped or cracked teeth, headaches, tooth sensitivity, and several other symptoms that can make life quite unpleasant for children.
3. Orthodontic Treatment Can Fix Speech Impediments
Sometimes a child’s speech problems can be attributed to crooked or misaligned teeth. Proper teeth and tongue placement when pronouncing certain syllables such as th, s, d, and z is essential. Without treatment, a child may begin to lisp, replace sounds, omit sounds, or may even have trouble swallowing.
4. Treatment Can Improve Digestion
Besides the benefits to speaking, your child could benefit from orthodontic treatment if they are having trouble eating as well. Bite issues like overbites, underbites, and crossbites often leave a child unable to properly chew their food (or swallow as mentioned above.) This leads to digestive issues as the stomach attempts to break down large chunks of food and push them through the digestive tract.
5. Orthodontic Treatment Makes Healthier Teeth
If your child has been having trouble keeping their teeth in top condition, it may be due to crooked teeth. Normally, they would be able to brush and floss easily between their teeth, but when they’re misaligned, this is much harder—even if they’re being diligent. Pockets of food and plaque can be left behind, causing hidden cavities and gum inflammation.
Orthodontic treatment is about far more than just straight teeth. As you can see, aligning teeth and keeping a healthy bite can prevent multiple oral health issues. If your child is facing any of these challenges, it may be time to visit their orthodontist for treatment. Don’t delay their consultation. The earlier these issues are fixed, the longer they can enjoy their healthy smiles!
About the Practice
At Main Street Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in Danville, Dr. Ryan Pacheco and Dr. Melissa Bailey provide quality dental and orthodontic treatment for kids of all ages. They pride themselves on the comfortable environment they’ve created to provide children with a relaxing atmosphere. Their practice uses state-of-the-art dental technology to ensure a bright smile after every visit. Call (925) 575-8878 to schedule an appointment, or visit the website to learn more.