Reasons for Orthodontic Treatment

Man had attempted to correct the shape and alignment of his teeth for thousands of years, but it was only in the early 1990s, that orthodontistry was defined as a specialty of dentistry.  Orthodontistry involves using special dental appliances to refashion the alignment of the teeth.  One of the most commonly used examples of these appliances is braces.

Orthodontists make use of braces to correct a variety of problems that are cosmetic in nature.  But these braces have a more important function too. They help correct bite and other problems that can actually cause heath issues as the person grows older. Using braces, the orthodontists can correct problems in the future functioning of the teeth, and aid in the promotion of good oral hygiene.  

When the teeth are properly aligned, children are able to chew better which helps them when they are eating, and thus, promotes good health and nutrition.

They are also able to clean their teeth more thoroughly, preventing the development of gingivitis and dental cavities.  This promotes good oral hygiene.

Problems in the alignment of the teeth can cause difficulties in speech development. When this happens, orthodontic treatment is made use of to correct the problem in conjunction with speech therapy.

Here are just some of the reasons why orthodontics may be necessary:

When there are problems with the alignment of the bite, then the results are not just aesthetically displeasing, but can also lead to problems in chewing and eating food.  There are several reasons why these problems may develop.  For instance, an injury to the tooth can knock the tooth out of the mouth, and thus affect the tooth alignment.  

Many children continue their habit of sucking on thumbs and pacifiers for too long, and this can cause problems in the teeth formation. Sucking is a natural reflex in children, and should not be discouraged. If left to suck for as long as the baby is still on a bottle, or breast feeding, sucking doesn't impact the teeth in any way. But when the habit continues, it can cause the upper teeth to extend. This malformation of the teeth can be corrected by using braces.

When an infant loses one primary teeth much ahead of time, either due to injury, accident or decay, it can interrupt the emergence of the permanent or adult tooth.  The baby tooth holds position till the adult tooth can appear, and in the absence of the baby tooth, there may be an improper eruption of the adult tooth. This can cause overcrowding in the mouth, or slanted teeth or teeth that are tilted.   The problem requires orthodontic treatment to correct it.

Orthodontic treatment is best performed during the pre teen years when all the permanent teeth have emerged into the mouth. Even so, it's always advisable that you get your child's teeth checked by an orthodontist as soon as the first baby tooth falls off.   This will help him monitor the shedding of the baby teeth, enabling him to detect problems as quickly as possible.