Important Pediatric Orthodontist Information About Your Baby’s First Teeth

As a new parent, you may not have considered the need for a pediatric orthodontist. On average, babies start getting their first teeth at about six months old, although it can happen much sooner or later. Understanding your baby's teeth helps you teach good oral hygiene habits and know when it may be time to consult an orthodontist.

Understanding a baby's teeth

Baby teeth vary in size and shape, as well as where they are located in the jaw. Most people have 20 baby, or primary, teeth, and 32 permanent teeth. These teeth not only help people to chew, speak, and smile but shape the form of the face.

The primary teeth typically begin to erupt in the mouth at around 6 months old. Although each child is different, most get central incisors on the top and bottom jaw first, followed by lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and second molars. These teeth are then shed, making way for their permanent counterparts between the ages of 6 and 12 years old.

Adults have more teeth than babies but sometimes do not have room in the mouth to accommodate them. As a child grows, a visit to a pediatric orthodontist may be needed to get braces. This treatment helps the teeth to grow straighter and ensures there is no overcrowding. In the mid to late teen years, an orthodontist may recommend a child have the wisdom teeth removed to prevent crowding and misalignment.

What is a pediatric orthodontist?

A pediatric orthodontist focuses on the growth and development of the teeth and jaw. While dentists may notice initial orthodontic problems, only a pediatric orthodontist has the special training needed to do a full evaluation and determine a treatment plan. In addition, compared to traditional orthodontists, a pediatric orthodontist is equipped to handle the unique complexities of young children. That can include working with parents and children to eliminate harmful habits such as pacifier use and thumb sucking.

Getting an orthodontist's advice

Pediatric orthodontics is designed to treat younger children with potential jaw alignment and bite issues. Often the focus is on the width of the dental arches. Early treatment can help widen those arches and provide enough space for permanent teeth to grow correctly. That helps with tooth alignment and jaw position.

Compared to treatment for teens and adults, pediatric orthodontics will focus on any irregularities with the patient, including genetic factors, baby teeth that have gotten lost too early, and damaging habits such as thumb sucking. After identifying any issues, a pediatric orthodontist can implement an early intervention strategy.

A pediatric orthodontist can provide parents with information about how to keep children's teeth straighter and healthier by focusing on several common situations, such as:

Finger-sucking and pacifier habits

According to the American Dental Association, finger-sucking may first begin in the womb and is a completely natural habit for babies who need to self-soothe. However, as babies begin to teethe, the time comes to break the habit. After teething begins, sucking on fingers or pacifiers can cause the teeth to grow misaligned and could even cause changes to the roof of the mouth.

Teething

Teething is often an uncomfortable and painful situation for babies and toddlers. An orthodontist helps parents learn more about the process of new teeth erupting, how to help children through it, and when to seek professional care. 

Teeth straightening

As a baby's primary teeth fall out to make way for the eruption of permanent teeth, they may cause misalignment of the permanent teeth. Eventually, misaligned adult teeth can lead to overcrowding that causes problems with dental hygiene, overbites or underbites, pain, or a lack of confidence in smiling. As a child enters the pre-teen years, an orthodontist may recommend braces to keep teeth aligned and create a healthier set of permanent teeth into adulthood. 

Pediatric orthodontists can be an integral part of a child’s overall oral health care. Properly aligned teeth and jaws are easier to brush and floss. That reduces the child’s overall risk for tooth decay. Teeth that fit together properly are also less likely to be fractured or damaged during falls or injuries.

Book a consultation today

Parents naturally want their children's health to thrive, and oral health is a key component of this. Whether an infant is just beginning the teething process or a preschooler has a full mouth of teeth, a pediatric orthodontist can advise on any alignment issues and recommend any necessary treatments. Visiting a pediatric orthodontist for a consultation prepares patients and parents for their oral health needs going forward. Call our office at (832) 579-0960 to learn more or schedule a consultation visit.

Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Orthodontics for Children in Richmond, TX.

Recent Posts

Choosing The Right Kids Dentist For A Stress-Free Dental Experience

Kids dentist practices are key to establishing a positive outlook on dental care, especially when guiding children through the early stages of oral health. Finding the right provider can transform what might otherwise feel like a stressful appointment into a comfortable, beneficial experience. Pediatric dentistry involves more than fixing cavities; it focuses on teaching proper…

Tooth Colored Fillings Can Match Your Smile

Dental fillings can consist of composite (tooth-colored), porcelain, metal, and more. Pediatric dentists use traditional and tooth-colored fillings to close small holes in the teeth, commonly caused by cavities (extremely common in children). The dentist will extract decayed tissues and replace them with one of these filling materials. Dental fillings usually last many years before…

Improve Your Smile With Tooth Colored Fillings

Even with healthy oral habits, children can find themselves in need of dental restoration. Tooth-colored fillings allow pediatric dentists to provide their patients with aesthetically pleasing results. Here are some details on choosing this restorative option to repair dental cavities.Today, patients want teeth to look natural when laughing or smiling, as this can affect their…

5 Tips For Composite Fillings Aftercare

In the past, traditional metal fillings were used to treat cavities. However, they tend to stand out against teeth and can look unnatural. Today, more parents prefer composite fillings for their children. These fillings serve the same purpose but with more natural-looking results. Dental fillings are relatively straightforward and do not require much aftercare. However,…

Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental

Share
Published by
Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental

Recent Posts

Choosing the Right Kids Dentist for a Stress-Free Dental Experience

Kids dentist practices are key to establishing a positive outlook on dental care, especially when…

2 days ago

Tooth Colored Fillings Can Match Your Smile

Dental fillings can consist of composite (tooth-colored), porcelain, metal, and more. Pediatric dentists use traditional…

4 days ago

Improve Your Smile with Tooth Colored Fillings

Even with healthy oral habits, children can find themselves in need of dental restoration. Tooth-colored…

1 week ago

5 Tips for Composite Fillings Aftercare

In the past, traditional metal fillings were used to treat cavities. However, they tend to…

2 weeks ago

How to Care for Your Tooth-Colored Fillings

Most people will experience at least one dental cavity in their lifetime. Fortunately, pediatric dentists…

2 weeks ago

When Sedation Dentistry Is Recommend for Children’s Dental Visits

Sedation dentistry aims to alleviate the stress and discomfort that many patients experience during dental…

3 weeks ago