Why Your Nine Year Old Child Needs To See A

Specialist Orthodontist

A beautiful confident smile truly is a blessing, and it can help your child enjoy a happy and successful life.

However, all too often common orthodontic problems are missed in childhood, resulting in years of expensive orthodontic treatment in the teenage years and adulthood.

In this leaflet I will explain the 3 reasons why your child should see a Specialist Orthodontist before they turn 9 years of age.

Dr Bobby Griffin BDS., DClinDent(ORTH)., MRACDS(ORTH)MOrthRCSEd., FFD(ORTH)RCSI,AOB Certified

An OPG X-ray of a normal 9 year child showing adult teeth getting ready to push out the remaining baby teeth.

Even at this early stage, the presence and position of all the adult teeth are clearly visible.

REASON 1: Orthodontic problems are often inherited from our parents

“Like father, like son”, “a chip off the old block”. These are sayings which carry so much truth, as far as your teeth are concerned. So, if you or your partner had orthodontic problems as a child, the chances are that your child will too.

Commonly inherited orthodontic problems include:• Missing teeth• Extra teeth• Buck teeth• Crowded teeth• Gappy teeth• Ectopic teeth (growing in the wrong direction)• Impacted teeth (teeth stuck up in the gums)• Facial shape

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However, not everything can be blamed on genetics: • Non-nutritive sucking habits, such as thumb sucking and prolonged pacifier use, can create orthodontic

problems such as prominent front teeth (buck teeth).

• Enlarged adenoids, often caused by allergies, have also been implicated in crowded teeth and cross bites.

• Sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and mouth breathing, is emerging as an area of intense research, and has been linked to all manner of childhood problems, including orthodontic problems.

• Dental decay can cause the loss of baby teeth before they are ready to fall out. This can cause the adult teeth to come through in an unwanted position, leading to orthodontic problems such as overcrowding.

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Dental Milestones:

6 months First tooth appears

2.5 years All baby teeth through

5.5 years First baby tooth falls out, and is replaced by the first adult tooth – usually the lower front tooth

9 years All adult teeth are visible on an X-ray

13 years All baby teeth have fallen out, and all adult teeth are through, except for wisdom teeth

Prominent front teeth in an 11 year old girl, as a result of thumb sucking, which stopped at 7 years old.

Orthodontic treatment corrects this issue quickly, and drastically reduces the chance of trauma to the front teeth.

A typical 4 year old sucking his thumb. This is often accompanied by a comforter – in this case, a rabbit!

A child will only break this habit if he WANTS TO DO SO!

However, a visit to the Orthodontist can help children understand the problem, and help them break the habit.

A 9 year old girl has been fitted with a plate to help correct a cross bite at the back of her mouth.

If left untreated, cross bites can lead to permanent facial asymmetry, and abnormal tooth wear.

Although it’s true that we cannot solve every problem early in life, at least we can be well aware of the problems so that they can be fixed at the first opportunity.

An OPG X-ray of a 10 year old girl showing the upper permanent canines (eye teeth) growing in the wrong direction. At this stage we often recommend a simple procedure to help the teeth get back on the right track.

However, if left alone, these teeth are likely to become impacted in the roof of the mouth, meaning an operation under general anaesthetic, and many years of braces.

An OPG X-ray of a 9 year old child with missing permanent lower 2nd premolars.

Early detection of this commonly inherited problem is essential to reduced the need for complex orthodontic treatment later.

REASON 2: Orthodontic problems often start in infancy, and most problems can be detected before 9 years of age.

That’s right. By the age of 9 years we can see if there are extra teeth, missing teeth, buck teeth, crowded teeth, ectopic teeth, potentially impacted teeth, and even if there is going to be a problem with facial growth.

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REASON 3: A beautiful, confident smile is known to improve job prospects, help us find happy relationships, and improve overall quality of life.

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Numerous studies over the years have shown that children growing to adulthood with poorly aligned teeth struggle with peer-acceptance, and are subject to stereotyping.

This has been shown to limit their confidence, career choices, and their ability to find a life partner, when compared to similar children with well-aligned teeth and jaws.

However, family dentists have an exceptionally difficult job to perform because they have to look after so many different aspects of your child’s dental and general well-being. Occasionally subtle, yet important, orthodontic problems can be overlooked.

Specialist Orthodontists are highly trained to detect orthodontic problems at the earliest opportunity, allowing the option for early intervention.

Not only can early diagnosis eliminate problems before they happen, it can potentially save you a huge amount of time and money in the future!

So, if you have young children, be sure to arrange a consult with a Specialist Orthodontist by their 9th birthday. It could turn out to be the best investment you’ve ever made!

“Having spent 12 years as a regular family dentist, I believe that your dentist will certainly refer you to an orthodontist, if they notice any problems developing”.Dr Bobby Griffin

CONCLUSION: Your child should see an orthodontist before 9 years old.

“But, why see a Specialist Orthodontist? Surely my regular family dentist will tell me if there is a problem with my child’s teeth?”

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Simply call our Main Practice on 07 4038 1036, say that you have read this article, and claim a free orthodontic consult for all children in your immediate family.

Dr Bobby Griffin is an Australian Board-registered Specialist Orthodontist, and the Principle of Sunbird Orthodontics. With over 17 years experience as a caring dental professional, Dr Bobby has extensive national and international specialist qualifications.

Dr Bobby is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, a Member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, a Member of the Australasian Society of Orthodontists, and Accredited by the Australasian Orthodontic Board.

NO REFERRAL NECESSARY!

HALF REASON: Because you have taken the time to read this article, Sunbird Orthodontics is happy to provide a consult FREE OF CHARGE for every child in your immediate family.

P: 07 4038 1036sunbirdorthodontics.com.au

admin@sunbirdorthodontics.com.au