It May Be Time to Consider Braces for Your Kids
There are a lot of concerns kids may have about getting their first set of braces. Many children are worried about how their smiles will be altered just by following the procedure. Will the other kids accept them? Will they be made fun of? Finally, and most importantly, do braces hurt?
A dentist specializing in children’s dentistry is the best consideration due to the fact that dentists with a specialty in taking care of kids are better able to sensitively handle the concerns of a child going through this situation. Fortunately for patients in the Ontario, CA area, City Dental Centers has recently opened City Dental Kids & Braces to achieve just that. But when should you begin considering braces for your kids? Here are some considerations worth making.
What Are the Reasons to Consider Braces for Your Kids?
Age Isn’t the Only Indicator
Many parents think that there is a certain age when they should take their kids to see an orthodontist. The reality is that age isn’t the only indicator or even necessarily one of the main ones. Children can go to their first orthodontist visit at any age and the most important indicator is need. There are many ways to tell if your child needs to see an orthodontist.
Jaw Issues and Eating Habits
There are many indicators that your child needs to see an orthodontist. The most obvious one is if your children’s teeth are crooked in appearance. Other appearance issues may come from the upper and lower jaws being different in size, known as malocclusion. One example occurs if the upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw, causing what is known as an overbite. The reverse situation, where the lower jaw is bigger than the upper jaw, causes an underbite.
Less obvious problems may be discovered over time. For example, if your child has trouble biting completely through a sandwich, this may be an indicator that their teeth, even if they appear straight, are not biting down all the way due to alignment issues.
Bad Oral Habits
If your child has any bad oral hygiene habits, such as thumb sucking, they may be prone to needing orthodontic work sooner than other children. Night-time teeth grinding may warrant you asking your dentist or orthodontist about special headgear to prevent the activity from taking place.
Accidents and Other Issues
If your child has had any accidents or other issues occur to their teeth, as well as if the baby teeth were lost too soon, orthodontic work is frequently recommended sooner rather than later. Accidents causing damage to teeth or the mouth are a common reason braces for your kids may be a good call.
Confidence Problems
While talked about less often, having crooked teeth can wear on a child’s confidence. If your child ever expresses frustration in their smile that may be fixed by having their teeth straightened and/or jaw aligned, it’s a good idea to visit a dentist to see what options may be available. In many cases, insurance may cover braces for your kids. In fact, they may cover some or all of the costs if the work is not just cosmetic related and actually impacts the functionality of the mouth.
Dentist Recommendation
It’s a good idea to start scheduling regular dental checkups for your child at a young age. In most cases, your dentist will be able to recommend to you when you should schedule your child’s first orthodontic appointment.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child go to the dentist by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth erupts. Make sure your child sees the dentist regularly and go off the advice of your trusted dentist from there.
City Dental Kids & Braces
For all your children’s dentistry needs, choose City Dental Kids & Braces! Our specialized children’s dentist office is the perfect place to get braces for your kids.
The trusted dentists at City Dental Kids & Braces will be happy to schedule your child’s next dental appointment to talk to you about their current needs and options for braces. Feel free to contact them today at 888-553-7775. They will gladly take your child in for a visit at the earliest convenience to talk about options for braces!
Convenient Dentist Offices in Southern California
Doctor Sam Shahovesi and the team at City Dental Centers are here to provide our patients with the best dental services and dental surgeries for children and adults of all ages. Whether you need braces for your kids or for yourself, City Dental Centers is here to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible.
Ready to experience the best dentists in Los Angeles? Choose one of the convenient dental offices we have surrounding LA. We have dental practices in Azusa, Corona, Lake Forest, Montclair, Pico Rivera, and West Covina. You can call our main line at (888) 624-8933 or reach out to an office directly with the information below. We’re so happy you’ve chosen City Dental Centers. We can’t wait to help you along your dental journey and brighten your beautiful smile!
Dentist in Azusa, CA
Location: 483 S. Citrus Ave. Azusa, CA 91702
Phone: (626) 966-3400
Dentist in Corona, CA
Location: 161 McKinley St. STE 102, Corona, CA 92879
Phone: (951) 737-3746
Dentist in Lake Forest, CA
Location: 24602 Raymond Way #210, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Phone: (949) 461-5800
Dentist in Montclair, CA
Location: 5182 Moreno St, Montclair, CA 91763
Phone: (909) 295-3477
Dentist in Pico Rivera, CA
Location: 9400 Whittier Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660
Phone: (562) 949-2526
Dentist in West Covina, CA
Location: 154 Plaza Dr, West Covina, CA 91790
Phone: (626) 962-1722