Austin’s Top Orthodontist for Kids
At RJ Orthodontics, we understand that your childhood orthodontic experiences can have long-term consequences. Our board-certified doctors were inspired to become the skilled professionals they are today by their childhood experiences, and they are excited to help the next generation of patients achieve beautiful smiles. We’ve treated countless children from various backgrounds and interests, and we’re passionate about developing treatment plans that are as individual as our patients. Our team understands that as a parent, you need a practice you can put your child’s oral health in the hands of, and we work hard to make your decision and their treatment as simple as possible.
When Should I Consult an Orthodontist for My Child?
We recommend bringing your child in as early as seven years old so that we can provide them with the treatment they require to have a dazzling smile. At this age, your child’s permanent teeth will begin to appear, and our skilled team can identify current and potential orthodontic issues.
Although each child’s development is unique, most children’s first adult molars appear around the age of six. This, in conjunction with other developmental markers, allows us to determine the basic alignment of the teeth from front to back and side to side. We can also determine whether there is enough room in their mouth for all of their permanent teeth and whether we need to take action to make room.
What Can an Orthodontist Do for My Child?
While we recommend that your child come in for a consultation as soon as possible, treatment will not necessarily begin right away. In most cases, we’ll want to keep an eye on them and monitor their progress in order to make more informed treatment decisions later on. Most younger patients do not get braces until they are 9-14 years old, by which time most of their baby teeth will have fallen out, but their mouths will still be growing, allowing us to influence their development and correct minor issues before they become more serious. The longer you wait, the more complex and time-consuming their treatment will be.
Crossbite, overcrowding, protruding front teeth, underbite, and other issues that early treatment can help with are listed below. If left untreated, these orthodontic issues can cause pain or difficulty chewing, biting, speaking, and cleaning your teeth. If we detect these issues early, your child will have a shorter and less invasive treatment process that will not require corrective surgery. Early orthodontic treatment can also help to break bad habits that are detrimental to their oral growth. Thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing are some examples of these habits. It can be difficult for parents to recognize these bad habits and their consequences, which is why you should bring your child in for a consultation with our board-certified orthodontists.
What to Expect When Your Child Begins School
When you and your child first come in, we’ll take pictures and radiographic (X-ray) images of their mouth, as well as a scan of their bite to see if it needs to be adjusted. We’ll put your child in their appliance once we’ve determined their oral health needs and agreed on a treatment plan. While there will be a brief adjustment period as they become accustomed to the appliance, most children quickly adjust to the sensation of braces in their mouth. There may be some initial pain or discomfort, in which case we recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers or applying braces wax to the areas that are irritating their soft tissue. While wearing braces, your child must maintain excellent oral health. Brushing around brackets and wires can be difficult at first, so you may want to assist them in brushing away any food debris lodged behind their appliance. We recommend that they spend a few extra minutes each day during their daily hygiene routine to ensure that there are no leftover crumbs or harmful bacteria on their teeth. We want your child’s treatment to be as painless as possible, with no delays caused by tooth decay or loss. Maintain their braces and future dream smile by brushing twice a day and flossing frequently.
Another adjustment that comes with braces is the necessary dietary change. Hard, sticky, or chewy foods can pull at wires and brackets, resulting in broken appliances. While true orthodontic emergencies are rare, we never want your child to be uncomfortable in their appliance. You won’t have to worry about prolonging treatment or poking wires if you exclude these foods from their diet during treatment.
Treatment Alternatives
RJ Orthodontics is constantly striving to exceed our patients’ expectations. We want to give your child the best treatments possible so that they can have the smile of their dreams for the rest of their lives. We understand the importance of great appliances in a child’s future smile and confidence, which is why we only use the highest quality braces in our office.
