At what age should a child have an orthodontic examination?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that most children should have an orthodontic screening by age 7. This allows us to evaluate if orthodontic treatment will be required and the best time for the patient to be treated. Many of the dentists in our community have been trained to identify orthodontic problems early, and may refer you to Dr. Cochran earlier than age 7.

Why are children being evaluated at such an early age?
Early diagnosis and treatment can guide erupting teeth into a more favorable position, preserve space for permanent teeth, and reduce the likelihood of fracturing protruded front teeth.

If early treatment is indicated, we can guide the growth of the jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment

In addition to better-looking teeth, what are some other benefits of orthodontic treatment?
Braces can improve function of the bite and teeth, improve ability to clean the teeth, prevent wear on the teeth, and increase the longevity of natural teeth.

Does early treatment benefit all children?
Early treatment does not necessarily benefit all children. Certain types of orthodontic problems can be more easily and efficiently corrected in the teen years when all the permanent teeth have erupted, while still other orthodontic problems should not be addressed until growth is more advanced or completed. Dr. Younger and Dr. Groesbeck develop a plan for treatment based on each individual child’s needs.

If a child has treatment early, will this prevent the need for braces as an adolescent?
Early treatment can begin the correction of significant problems, prevent more severe problems from developing, and simplify future treatment. Because all of the permanent teeth have not yet erupted when early treatment is performed, all the permanent teeth have not been corrected. Typically, a second comprehensive phase of treatment in the teen years, after all the permanent teeth have erupted, completes the correction.

Do we still need to see our family dentists if we’re already seeing Dr. Cochran?
Patients with braces and other orthodontic appliances require more effort to keep their teeth and gums clean. Because we want to insure the highest level of dental health, they will require you to see your family dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings.

This Blog was posted by Clearview Dental – your Family Dentist in Milton, Ontario

Important Children Dental Care Practices

Brushing and Flossing: Important Children Dental Care Practices. Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of San Antonio recommends the following dental care brushing and flossing techniques to promote healthy teeth for your children.

Brushing
Children Dental Care Tip: Brushing Children’s Teeth. It is best to use a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste containing fluoride. When brushing the teeth of children younger than 3 years old, limit toothpaste to an amount the size of a grain of rice. Parents should still supervise brushing after age 3. Make sure that children do not swallow any excess toothpaste and limit the toothpaste used to the size of a pea.

The doctors at Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of San Antonio recommend that while brushing your children’s teeth, move the brush in small circular motions, so as to reach the food particles that may be under the gum line. Brush slowly and carefully while holding your toothbrush at an angle. Be sure to cover the surface of each tooth and the areas between all teeth. To brush your teeth thoroughly will take several minutes. Brush the inside, outside, and chewing surface of all front and back teeth–brushing down on the upper teeth and brushing up on the bottom teeth. More about family dentistry Milton, here
There are three times that you should brush your teeth each day, to avoid cavities and other problems caused by food particles and plaque accumulation. The first of these three daily brushings should be in the morning after breakfast. The next brushing should be after lunch or right after school, and once more before bed.

The best time to replace your toothbrush with a new one is as soon as you notice that the bristles are starting to wear down or to fray.

Flossing
Children Dental Care Tip: Flossing carefully daily is of great importance for optimal oral hygiene. There are some areas between teeth that a toothbrush is simply unable to reach. To remove food particles and plaque from these areas, dental floss is used. Dental floss is a thin thread of waxed nylon that can reach below the gum line and clean in between teeth. It is very important to floss between your teeth on a daily basis.

Proper flossing technique is to pull a small length of floss from the dispenser and tightly wrap the ends of the floss around your middle fingers. Gently guide the floss between all teeth down to the gum line. Doing this will pull out any food particles or built-up plaque that has built up in these spaces that are unreachable with a toothbrush. As you floss moving from tooth to tooth you will unwrap clean floss from around your fingers, this ensures that you use all of the floss from beginning to end and that a clean portion of floss is used on each tooth. Be sure to floss behind all of your back teeth as well.

The best time to floss is at night to make leave your teeth squeaky clean before going to bed. Your gums will likely bleed a little when you first begin flossing. If bleeding continues beyond the first few flossings, let your dentist or staff member at your dentist’s office know at your next appointment.

To learn more about dental hygiene, Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of San Antonio services, view locations, or learn more about the doctors, their accomplishments, and how they are actively involved in the dental community visit them on the web at www.PDOVA.com. To schedule an appointment at their Midlothian location call us To schedule an appointment at the San nAntonio location call

Orthodontic Emergencies

Some minor problems can occur during orthodontic treatment ranging from sore teeth and swollen gums to bent wires and broken brackets. You can avoid most broken brackets and bent wires by following the prescribed care for braces and avoiding certain foods. For more information on this, check out our “Caring for Braces” section.

But even with the toughest braces and proper care, minor adjustments may need to be made. In some cases you will be able to fix the problem, but in many cases, you will need to contact your orthodontist immediately to schedule an emergency appointment. Here are a few common problems that could occur during the course of treatment:
“Poker” – When a loose wire pokes the inside of the teeth or cheek, cover the wire with soft wax or cotton. Rinsing with warm salt water twice a day will help ease the discomfort. Be sure to call your orthodontist for a special appointment.
Sore teeth – After most adjustment visits to the orthodontist, your child will naturally experience sore teeth as the teeth try to gradually move into place. However, aspirin or other pain relievers should remedy the soreness in 3-5 days. Try some of our “Soothing Recipes” during this time.
Loose bands or brackets – Sometimes bands or brackets can become loose – usually as a result of eating hard or sticky foods. These will need to be prepared by your orthodontist, so call right away for a special appointment.
Lost separator – Call your orthodontist and explain which separator popped out, as an appointment may not be necessary if adequate space exists between teeth.
Lost retainer – Your retainer holds your teeth in place until the gums and roots that move a little slower move into place. Not wearing your retainer can cause your treatment to relapse, so contact your orthodontist immediately when you lose a retainer so that another can be fitted for you.

Other Dental Emergencies:

If some other type of dental emergency occurs such as a laceration, puncture wound, a broken or chipped tooth, a tooth knocked out or out of place, contact your family dentist or orthodontist as soon as possible – preferably within the first 30 minutes. Do not try to force back displaced teeth or attempt to place a tooth back in its socket as it could cause further damage.