HDA News

Schedule an Appointment

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The Importance of Orthodontic Care for Your Children

A smiling and happy girl leaning back in a dentist’s chair as she prepares for a dental cleaning

Growing up makes for a constantly evolving experience for children. Every year they change and grow into the person they are destined to become, and that extends to their oral health. From the first baby tooth to their adult teeth coming in later in their lives, managing your child’s dental health presents unique challenges for parents. With those challenges come a few myths involving childhood tooth development that can impact how you treat your child’s dental health. 

Combating Childhood Oral Health Myths

When you start looking for a pediatric dentist in Hamilton, NJ, you want to find one that knows how intensive taking care of your child’s teeth should be. Taking a proactive approach to their dental health can help them avoid more involved procedures down the road—one of the most common myths that lead to your child’s teeth suffering in the long run. 

Common Myth #1: Childhood Teeth Will Straighten Out Over Time

One such myth that leads to more complex orthodontic care down the line is that your child’s teeth will straighten out over time. Unfortunately, that is not the case. If their teeth start coming in crooked or off-center, they won’t naturally straighten themselves with time. 

The space for their teeth to come in doesn’t grow as they mature. If you leave these issues unattended, it could lead to more significant problems. 

Common Myth #2: Orthodontic Treatments Are Purely Cosmetic 

While most people associate orthodontic treatments with getting braces as a teenager, that procedure does much more than merely straighten teeth to help you look better. Getting your jaw and teeth back into proper alignment has a cascading effect on your oral health. It helps improve your biting, chewing, and even speaking ability.

Common Myth #3: There Is a Right Age for Orthodontic Care

Many parents believes there is a specific age at which it’s appropriate to bring their children in for orthodontic care. The perceived minimum age for a child to receive orthodontic care is around 12-13 or right when they reach high school. However, getting your child such care earlier can help avoid getting braces and fixing issues before they worsen. 

In reality, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your children should get an orthodontic checkup no later than age seven. Once they hit that age, their mouth will have a nice balance between their baby and permanent teeth. This window of time allows for an accurate orthodontic evaluation to determine where preventative care is enough or if additional action is required. 

Where Do Orthodontic Issues Come From?

In most cases, a child’s orthodontic problems stem from their genetics — these issues are inherited from their parents. Additionally, some problems can develop over time based on poor oral hygiene habits they learned from a young age. 

Some of these acquired oral health issues include:

  • Sucking Their Thumbs
  • Mouth Breathing
  • Abnormal Swallowing Patterns
  • Poor Dental Hygiene
  • Irregular Loss of Baby Teeth
  • Poor Nutritional Habits

However, parents have reason to hope for viable remedies and solutions to most of these issues. You can remedy these acquired problems with the help of successful orthodontic care provided by an experienced pediatric dentist. 

Finding a Child Orthodontic You Can Trust

Trusting your child’s teeth and their beautiful smile to a pediatric dentistry practice is something that every parent must come to grips with. Figuring out which childhood orthodontic makes the most sense for your child and their future dental visits becomes critically important. For parents and their children in Hamilton, NJ, Hamilton Dental Associates provides them with the experienced pediatric dentists they need to prioritize their oral health as they mature. 

Learn more about our pediatric dentistry services and schedule your first appointment for your kids’ braces in the Burlington County, NJ, area today!