As a Peterborough orthodontist, one very common misconception we often find people hold is the idea that an orthodontist is only for fixing problems which have already happened. Nothing could be further from the truth! In many cases (although not all) early intervention from an orthodontist can reduce or even entirely prevent a child from needing serious orthodontic correction later in life.
So please don’t think of an orthodontist as someone your child doesn’t have to visit until they’re older. Visiting a Peterborough orthodontist earlier in life can do them a lot of good, particularly if any of the following are true.
Five Situations That Suggest You Should Take Your Child to An Orthodontist
1. They are 12 months old
One thing people don’t know about orthodontists is that they can detect potential future problems in a child as young as one year old! Dental associations strongly suggest your child get their first appointment around this time. It’s a great way to prepare for your child’s future teeth growth and start taking steps to prevent potential problems.
2. Excessive thumb-sucking
This is something we often hate breaking to parents: thumb-sucking is actually very bad for your child’s mouth and teeth. They can very easily inhibit teeth growth or cause their jaw to become misaligned. Fortunately, your Peterborough orthodontist will be able to help them break this habit!
3. Noises when they move their jaw around
Do you hear any sort of clicking or other strange sounds when your child chews, talks, or otherwise moves their jaw around? That’s a definite sign they should be checked out! It could potentially indicate a variety of orthodontic issues, or possibly even the onset of TMJ problems.
4. Teeth grinding
Does your child clench their jaw tightly at night? They’re damaging their teeth when they do! Your orthodontist has a variety of ways to discourage them from doing this or, at least, protect their teeth through the use of mouth guards.
5. Inability to fully close their mouth
Check to see if your child can fully close their mouth, with their teeth coming into contact. If they can’t, you’ll want to have that checked out. It could potentially be a problem with their jaw and teeth. It could easily mean bigger problems to come.
Dr. Christopher Moore & Associates
Need a great family Peterborough Orthodontist? Book an appointment with Dr. Christopher Moore & Associates!