Unsure if your child will benefit from braces? 5 advantages that you may not have thought of
When you have children, it is hard enough to get them to go to the dentist without the added pressure of orthodontics coming into it.
While unpopular, orthodontics and aligners are more common than ever these days, especially when it comes to young children and teenagers. Why? Because the link between having straighter teeth and better oral hygiene in later life has long since been established, meaning that more dental surgeries than ever before are eager to ensure that your children grow up to have healthy, straight teeth.
At Aura Dental, our team share this vision and are happy to offer suitable children discreet braces St John’s Wood. We will aim to conduct an orthodontic assessment by the time your child is 7 years old and, with the help of some additional tests and computer software, we will choose the most suitable aligner to assist in the straightening of your child’s teeth. Perfect!
But is it worth it? Read on for some of the most overlooked advantages of braces St John’s Wood for children.
Better oral health
It is well known among dentists that straighter teeth are easier to clean.
And so, if your child comes to us for braces St John’s Wood, one of the long-term advantages is improved oral health. As crooked teeth allow gaps for plaque to hide in, this can increase the risk of gingivitis and tooth decay – simply because your child can’t reach those areas easily.
Using aligners to straighten teeth reduces these hiding spots and prevents these issues (and others) from forming.
Improved speech
Misaligned teeth can also cause speech issues; try sticking your finger behind one of your teeth and talking; notice how it impacts on your vocal patterns?
This is because the tongue can move properly when all of the teeth are straight and so if there are any protruding teeth, it can cause lisps. Having orthodontics at an early age can help your child develop better pronunciation and inflexion which will add to their confidence when speaking.
Better chewing and digestion
Teeth are made for biting and chewing and so, if your child’s teeth are misaligned, it can cause incorrect eating techniques.
In turn, larger chunks of food reach the stomach and cause excess acid production, worsening the chances of acid reflux and heartburn. Straighter teeth allow for better chewing and grinding of food and reduce the likelihood of gastrointestinal issues.
No headaches!
Teeth that are not aligned can grind when your child is asleep, causing the muscles in the facial and neck areas to become overtired and tense. This results in a higher incidence of headaches and even migraines, which is something no child should have to endure.
An aligner equates to straighter teeth, which reduces grinding; therefore no headaches! Simple!
Boosts confidence
And of course, if your child wears an orthodontic appliance when they are younger, they are more likely to be confident when they are older, due to straighter teeth, improved facial symmetry and clearer speech. What’s not to like about that?