Did you know that February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? I recently had a chance to talk with Dr. Melissa Alfonso Sedeño of Specialty Smiles Orthodontics about how orthodontics can improve dental health. She also shared some tips about how to care for teeth during orthodontic treatment.
Establishing & Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene
Orthodontic complications typically become apparent around age 7 after a child’s first permanent teeth have come in. This is actually the best time to seek an orthodontic consultation to monitor oral growth and development and begin to resolve early issues before they become more complicated. But there is a lot we can do as parents to establish good dental health with our kids–from the time they’re infants–that will serve them well before, during, and after their orthodontic journeys.
Here are a few ways we can lay a firm foundation of dental health in our homes:
- No bottles to bed
- Skip the juice and sugary drinks and offer fluoridated water instead (it’s safe to drink and helps prevent cavities!)
- Schedule your child’s first dental appointment around their 1st birthday or as soon as their first tooth erupts
- Brushing teeth twice a day for 2 minutes with fluoridated toothpaste (use only a grain of rice sized amount for toddlers)
- Flossing daily
These are excellent habits that will encourage our kids to care for their teeth for a lifetime. In fact, it’s never too late to start!
Improving Dental Health With Orthodontics
The biggest key to establishing and maintaining good oral health is simply keeping teeth clean. But orthodontic complications can sometimes make that difficult. Crowding–which can cause teeth to overlap–can make it very difficult to keep teeth clean. This can cause plaque to build up and result in cavities, periodontal disease, and even cause bone loss.
Aligning the bite prevents excess wear on teeth that are not touching together properly, especially if tooth grinding an issue. Other common bite problems, including crossbite/scissor bite, can cause gum loss and eventually tooth loss if left uncorrected. Orthodontic treatment can fix this common problem and improve your child’s ability to keep their teeth clean. A healthy smile is a beautiful smile!
Caring for Teeth During Orthodontic Treatment
When it is time to begin orthodontic treatment, it is important to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. It doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated but it is wise to make some changes to ensure the health of the teeth isn’t compromised.
Here are a few tips for caring for teeth with braces:
- Spend extra time brushing–at least 5 minutes in the morning and at night
- Use a Waterpik or an electric toothbrush that can really get in and around the wires and brackets to clean teeth and gums
- Use a good brushing technique–even with a regular soft-bristled toothbrush
- Try some floss aids to make flossing with braces a little easier
- Get some toothpaste that shows plaque to improve brushing technique
- Continue to see the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings throughout orthodontic treatment–this is really important so that your child’s dentist can continue to monitor their care
Invisalign is also a great option that allows teeth to be straightened without brackets and wires. The aligners can be easily removed for daily flossing and brushing and make it much easier to keep teeth clean. So helpful, right?!
Orthodontic Care for the Whole Family
Miami Moms Blog is proud to feature Specialty Smiles Orthodontics in our Miami Mom’s Guide to Orthodontists. Dr. Alfonso Sedeño and her team provide excellent orthodontic care for children, adolescents, and adults. She is a member of the Craniofacial Team at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital which allows her to pursue ongoing education and gives her a unique perspective on caring for children with complex needs. Specialty Smiles accepts all insurance plans (including Medicaid) and also offers interest-free financing on a variety of treatment options. Everyone deserves to love their smile, so schedule your free consultation today!
