If your child’s teeth aren’t straight or their jaws aren’t lining up, the Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends an early examination or screening for kids between the ages of eight and 10 years. Here’s what every parent needs to know before you worry about kids braces.
Our first article in this series took an initial look at crooked teeth in kids and why this occurs.
Orthodontics is all about proper assessment and about making some sort of prediction. It’s important to intervene in a timely manner, whether it’s doing something for your child’s teeth as an early intervention or leaving it for a definitive treatment (such as kids braces) at a more appropriate time. The problem is that a lot of it depends on your child’s growth and that’s something you can’t predict.
Back in the day, having braces was a bit of a ‘thing’, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. There is a greater range of treatments (such as clear aligners) and many more people have braces even as adults. Kids braces are actually very well accepted these days.
What we say to parents is that a lot of their child’s dental problems will often be overcome through growth. For example, if there are overcrowded, adult-sized teeth coming through in a little kid’s jaw, their teeth won’t change size but their jaw may grow enough to give space for them to erupt properly. Or perhaps there’s an adult tooth that’s erupting ectopically (in the wrong position) because a baby tooth is hanging around too long.
With any early intervention, we just try to be practical because there’s a big risk that kids will burn out of having dental or orthodontic treatment. If you start doing too much stuff too early, kids get sick of it and disengage. And they won’t clean their teeth!
Often the driving force for parents wanting their children to have their teeth straightened is cosmetic. The reason behind having orthodontic treatment, from my side of things as a dentist, is not cosmetic at all.
If you can get your teeth to be straighter, then they’re going to function more efficiently. If your teeth are crooked, crowded or stick out, the question is: how are you going to keep them clean for the rest of your life?
Having crooked teeth can also impact the functions of speaking and eating: a child’s teeth can be so far out in their mouth that they lisp; or because of their crooked teeth, they may not be able to keep their lips closed when they eat, so food falls out of their mouth.
Yes, especially when children are developing their ego. Having really crooked teeth can affect that.
Back in our day, having braces was a bit of a ‘thing’, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Now, with clear kids braces and removable aligners like Invisalign or ClearCorrect, both of which we do here at our practice, they’re very well accepted. In fact, some children come in begging for them. It’s cool now!
To book your child’s orthodontic consultation or simply find out more about kids braces, read our Orthodontic Questions article or call our reception staff on 07 3263 2677 or book an appointment online.
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Dr Sharon's commitment to excellence has shown itself right from the start of her dental career, when she graduated from the University of Queensland with Class I Honours. Her commitment to her craft is reflected in the numerous professional development courses she participates in, with a desire to get the best possible outcomes for her patients.
Dr. Sharon is passionate about empowering patients through education about their dental conditions, supporting them through overcoming dental anxiety, and helping them achieve their dental goals.
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I always loved going to my own dental visits, and one day I honestly just though ‘why don’t I give dental assisting a go’. I applied for a job and got a call back straight away, and have been in the industry ever since!
I studied my Cert 3 in Dental Assisting online alongside working full time in my first dental job. I chose to do it online so I had more time to work as I am more of a hands on learner.
I LOVE smile makeovers. I love seeing the joy, and happiness it brings patients and the amount of confidence they gain by having their dream smile.
I love feeling like I am making some sort of impact on people’s lives. Whether it is helping them with their smile makeover, holding their hand during a procedure or just being an ear to talk to and a shoulder to cry on.
The team, they are all so wonderful and both Darryl and David are so great to work for. But also what our core value is – which is patient care. I think we are a really great team at making sure our patients come first and their experience with us is a positive one each and every time.
Brisbane born and bred, Sarah’s passion for dentistry began during her orthodontic treatment in her teens. After graduating from highschool, Sarah began working as a dental nurse and decided her true calling was as a dental hygienist. She graduated from the University of Queensland in 2006 and has worked in both the private and public sector since then.
Sarah’s focus is on prevention and education. Her goal is to empower her patients so that they can achieve and maintain the best possible oral health for life.
In her free time Sarah can be found spending time with her two sons, hiking, attending a pilates class or exploring Brisbane and the surrounds looking for new restaurants to eat at or adventures to have.
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My journey to get here though was anything but straight forward and I can probably thank my own childhood family dental visits in Newcastle NSW for my interest in this area of care. It too was a very special practice that took the time with their patients young and old and truly cared about them.
Having my own great experiences as a patient I was thrilled for them to accept me for my Year 10 work experience as a dental assistant and fell comfortably into the role. Due to life as it was back then and lack of public transport my career took me in a whole different direction and I had many years at the Aluminium Smelter in Kurri Kurri.
Once my children were at school I applied for a position as a receptionist at the local Dental Practice only to be told it was actually for an assistant and was I still interested? Silly question! Hands on training the old school way which put me in great position for further learning when our family moved to WA for a couple of years and then finally finding my way to QLD and Darrly and David.
Dentistry to me is a package of many very important parts, the precision and artistry of the actual treatment, the person behind the treatment and understanding of not only their dental needs but emotional drivers and the communication and care to put this all together. Although I now find myself not chairside but doing the behind the scenes administration I still get to talk with our patients and be confident that they are in good hands with my wonderful team.
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