The 5 Most Important Things Parents Need to Know About Their Kid’s Orthodontist Visit
Visiting your kid’s orthodontist? Here’s 5 things you should know before taking your child to the orthodontist
Taking your child to the orthodontist for the first time can be stressful. Maybe you aren’t sure if your child will need braces or are worried that your child will be scared of the orthodontist. These feelings are completely normal and can be easily remedied by learning more about how children’s orthodontics work. The more you know, the more confidence you’ll have at your child’s first appointment. Be sure to do your own research before your first appointment and ask your kid’s orthodontist any and all questions you may have. Let’s take a look at some of the most important things that parents should know before taking their child to the orthodontist!
1.0 Orthodontists Are Here To Help Your Child With Their Smile
At the first appointment, your kid’s orthodontist will perform an exam and determine what corrective measures should be taken
Let the experts determine the best plan for your child’s teeth.
Having straight teeth is about more than just aesthetics. There are a lot of health benefits that come with properly aligned teeth. When teeth have gaps or crowding, it can lead to plaque buildup and even tooth decay or gingivitis. Thankfully, with the help of children’s orthodontics, these problems can be easily identified and corrected.
Most kids will visit the orthodontist either from the referral of a dentist or at the behest of their parents. Either way, proper orthodontic care can have a positive impact on your child.
Beyond just straightening their teeth, orthodontists can take care of problems like jaw misalignment, overbites, underbites, and tooth development. With the help of a trusted orthodontist, you can create a care plan for your child to help correct any issues that need to be addressed.
2.0 Orthodontists Will Spot Any Problems Early
Kids orthodontic issues won’t go away without proper care
It is always best to address orthodontic problems early before they start to affect your child as they grow.
Though not everyone has to see an orthodontist, most people do get some kind of orthodontic care as kids or young adults. The advantage of starting corrective dentistry at a young age is that any misalignment that can cause problems in the future is addressed early. As we mentioned before any jaw alignment issues, overbites or underbites can be addressed by an orthodontist at a young age. By catching the issues early, they are easier to correct while your child is young. Should your kid's orthodontist spot any problems, they will begin planning to correct the issue and give you a timeline for treatment. If there is a problem identified, your child’s orthodontist will explain the following:
What the issue is and where it is happening
Options for correction
If there will be any invasive procedures
How long your child’s treatment will take
How much the treatment will cost
After these questions have been answered, you and your child will decide how to proceed.
3.0 Your Child’s First Trip to The Orthodontist Will be Painless
Many parents and kids alike are worried about pain associated with an orthodontist visit. You can relax knowing that the first trip will be painless for your child
If your child is worried about pain on the first visit to the orthodontist, let them know that their first appointment will be totally painless.
If you have already made your first appointment at your child’s orthodontist, you might be wondering what the first visit will be like. First, your child will be examined by the orthodontist to identify any present or future issues that may affect your child’s teeth. Next, they will likely take x-rays and impressions of your child’s teeth. By taking these x-rays and molds, the orthodontist will determine whether your child will need treatment. If your child does need to undergo some orthodontic care, the information gathered will be used to determine the best way to straighten teeth or address other issues about which you are concerned.
Your child’s actual treatment won’t begin until subsequent visits to the orthodontist, so the very first visit should be low stress for you and your child.
4.0 Don’t Worry If Your Child Needs Corrective Dentistry
Braces aren’t always the most fun, but a straighter smile is alway worth it in the long run
With a helpful orthodontist, you can trust your child is in good hands.
If your orthodontist determines that your child needs braces or other forms of correction, don’t panic! You are already on the right track by taking your child to the orthodontist and catching the problem before it progresses. It may take your child a bit of time to get used to wearing braces, and there may be a little bit of discomfort involved. However, there are a lot of tips and tools to use to combat any pain or soreness that comes with wearing braces.
After your child has begun straightening their teeth, you’ll visit the orthodontist every few weeks to have their braces adjusted to move their teeth into the correct position.
5.0 Everyone’s Journey to A Straighter Smile is a Little Bit Different
It is impossible to compare your child’s orthodontic care to others since everyone’s teeth are different
Reassure your child that having braces is totally normal and they’ll love their straightened smile.
When your child first gets their braces, it may seem like a long time until they have achieved a straighter smile. This is completely normal as most kids will wear braces for anywhere from 1-3 years until their teeth have moved completely. Your child will also have to wear a retainer for a while after braces to make sure their teeth stay in place (and overnight for most of their lives). No matter how long it takes to straighten your child’s teeth, you can be assured that your kids orthodontist is helping your child smile their very best smile.
If you have questions about children’s orthodontics, you can always contact Legacy Orthodontics for more information about taking your kid to the orthodontist for the first time.