Trying to figure out if your child needs braces and when to get them can feel overwhelming. Before making any decisions, you need to find an orthodontist you trust and have a complete evaluation. Read through the following question and answers to learn more about early orthodontic treatment.
When should I take my child to the orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists suggests you schedule an initial consultation about the time your child turns seven. By this age, enough permanent teeth have come in and enough jaw growth has occurred that the orthodontist can identify any problems.
Are there any early signs of problems?
Although you should always consult an orthodontist for any diagnosis, you can look at your child’s bite. If the top teeth line up exactly with the bottom teeth and no gaps or spaces are visible, your child may not need orthodontic therapy. Other issues such as an underbite or overbite may be immediately noticeable.
Won’t my child outgrow the issue?
If you child has a bad bite, it won’t correct itself. In fact, the malocclusion may worsen if you don’t seek proper treatment. As your child gets older, therapy may be more painful, so an early evaluation is critical.
What is the purpose of early orthodontic treatment?
With early treatment, your orthodontist can eliminate the need for more drastic measures at a later time. In some cases, results won’t be as successful once your child’s jaw and face have finished growing.
Will my child need to have teeth removed?
Usually, extraction is not part of orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist will only pull teeth if he or she can’t make enough room for all your child’s teeth.
Early Orthodontic Treatment in Sherman Oaks, CA – Mehdi Fotovat, DDS
Defined as the practice of preventing or correcting irregularities relating to the teeth or mouth, orthodontics allows people to enjoy straighter, healthier smiles. Though you may know the basics about braces, some of these interesting tidbits might surprise you.
• Activated by body heat, the wires used in today’s braces were created by NASA for use in the space program.
• An estimated 4 million people in this country are enhancing their smiles with orthodontic treatment. Approximately 20 percent of those patients are over age 18.
• Braces are attached to your teeth with cement, which is now made with a special fluoride-releasing component, to help protect teeth from decay.
• Charles Tweed has the honor of being recognized as the first orthodontist in this country.
• Dating back from the eight to fourth century B.C., the idea of orthodontic treatment was practiced by the Etruscans, who utilized wires to close the space left by lost teeth.
• Famous people like Whoopi Goldberg, Chelsea Clinton, Tom Cruise, Miley Cyrus, and Gwen Stefani have worn braces.
• In the United States and Canada, only 8,000 of the 160,000 dentists are practicing orthodontists.
• Metal braces used to be the only choice for straighter teeth, but modern advancements have resulted in options like ceramic brackets, lingual braces, and clear aligners for adult patients.
• Not wearing their retainers after treatment causes up to 25 percent of patients to need braces again.
• Orthodontics became a dental specialty in the 1900s.
• To become an orthodontist, you must complete an additional two to three years of training after dental school.
• Wearing braces does not increase your chances of getting struck by lightening. With or without a metal mouth, the odds are about one in 700,000 each year.
It’s time to schedule a visit to our Sherman Oaks, CA orthodontic office – Mehdi Fotovat, DDS.
If you are wearing braces to straighten teeth or correct other alignment issues, you need to take good care of teeth and gums. With the right steps, you can prevent issues with your braces or your mouth. During orthodontic treatment, you will visit the orthodontist regularly for adjustments and to monitor your progress. It’s also important to schedule routine checkups, which will help your dentist look for signs of tooth decay and ensure that your hygiene is adequate.
The following tips will help you preserve your smile while you have braces:
Take time to prepare
Before you brush, take off rubber bands and any other removable appliances. If you don’t make that effort, you risk damage to these devices.
Focus on the brackets
Unfortunately, braces and wires can easily trap food and debris, which may increase your chances of getting cavities. Tilt your brush at a 45 degree angle and work from the top down to ensure that you hit all the important spots.
Clean your teeth
Once you go over the brackets, turn your efforts to your teeth. Spend time cleaning each individual tooth. Some patients buy specially designed brushes that are supposed to maximize brushing efforts when you have braces.
Don’t forget to floss
Though the task is more difficult, flossing is critical when you have braces because it helps keep gum tissue healthy. Ask your orthodontist for any tips, and look into products like flossers, which can help make your job easier.
The final steps
After you have finished your routine, complete the process by rinsing with mouthwash or water. Then, look at your braces and teeth in the mirror to double-check that everything is alright.
We love to see you smile at our orthodontic dental practice in Sherman Oaks, CA – Mehdi Fotovat, DDS
Some people are born with stunning smiles, but others need to give nature a hand. To achieve a flawless image, you may need to consider orthodontic treatment. The most common recommendation is often braces. At one time, metal braces were the only option for improving smiles. Modern advances give patients other choices for updating their images. Patient preferences, severity of the problem, cost, and treatment length can all influence the decision about the type of orthodontic treatment used to straighten teeth.
Traditional metal braces
Even though other options exist, metal braces remain a popular choice for patients. Metal braces work well and cost less money than options like clear aligners or ceramic brackets. At Mehdi Fotovat, DDS, we offer GAC in-ovation-braces self-ligating braces. These braces have smaller brackets than traditional metal braces, and require less trips to the orthodontist with faster results.
Clear Brackets
If you don’t want other people to notice your braces, clear brackets are a good option.
We offer in-ovation-braces C (clear) brackets, which are translucent and blend in with your teeth coloring so that they are less noticeable. Just as with metal brackets, ceramic braces will straighten teeth over the treatment course.
Clear aligners
For adult and older teen patients, clear aligners such as Invisalign offer an inconspicuous way to create gorgeous smiles. These systems utilize custom, clear aligners to gently shift teeth into the desired position. Usually, treatment time is 12 to 18 months.
Schedule a visit to our Sherman Oaks orthodontic practice and see how we can enhance your smile. Mehdi Fotovat
With the start of school, many children and young adults will be participating in after school sports activities. During these activities, it’s important to protect your smile, especially during orthodontic treatment. This Q and A will provide valuable information about common concerns patients may have.
How do I protect my child’s teeth during physical activities?
If your child will be involved with activities that could involve contact such as football, basketball, soccer, and even horseback riding, a mouth guard can help prevent injury. Although you can purchase these appliances at certain athletic stores, the most effective mouth guards are the custom devices designed to fit your child’s mouth. Ask your orthodontist about getting fit for this appliance.
Do sports drinks really hurt your teeth?
Because they have a large amount of sugar in them, sports drinks can increase the chances of cavities. If you have one of these beverages, drink through a straw and rinse your mouth right away. To stay hydrated, water is the best choice.
Should I wear my retainer when I participate in sports activities?
Your retainer is designed to keep teeth in the proper position after your braces are removed. The appliance could get broken, so take it off during games or sports activities.
Can I wear a mouth guard with braces?
While you have braces, you need to wear a non-fitted mouth guard, which will protect your teeth without knocking the brackets loose.
What happens if I have an accident that damages my orthodontic appliance?
Contact Dr. Fototvat’s office as soon as possible for further instructions.
Keeping your smile beautiful and healthy at our Sherman Oaks, CA orthodontic practice – Mehdi Fotovat, DDS
