Oral health is important no matter who you are —whether you are a child, teen, adult, or senior.
Dentistry has become very diverse in its treatments. The appearance of a person’s smile, young or old, plays a significant role in their confidence. Wonky teeth, gaps, overbites and underbites, discoloured teeth, chips, and breaks are just a few things that can cause self-esteem to waver. Luckily, in today’s dental world, these are all fixable problems.
Dentists urge parents to bring their children to clinics for dental check-ups as early as possible. This ensures they are well and prevents them from developing a fear of the dentist.
Regular dental check-ups from a young age can also help catch any issues early on, such as cavities and the potential need for braces. If you or your child has a cavity, then it must be resolved quickly with a filling. If left too long, the situation can worsen, and the child may need a root canal treatment. These check-ups are important for children and dentists, who encourage people of all ages to attend regular check-ups.
One of the main reasons many people visit their dentist is to address orthodontic needs. Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that specialises in alignment and bites. Essentially, it involves braces. Orthodontic treatments can begin as early as 10 years old. The earlier an issue is addressed, the better.
A lack of treatment can lead to other problems, aside from alignment and bite issues, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and loss of bone tissue. Your dentist can assess your child, or yourself, to determine if braces are required. Issues such as overcrowded teeth, crooked teeth, or overlapping teeth can be corrected with the help of braces. This treatment can also fix other problems, such as overbites and underbites.
In addition to improving appearance, straighter teeth can significantly enhance oral health, whether you are a child or an adult. Straighter teeth are easier to clean and maintain, making it less likely for one to develop tooth decay or gum disease. In contrast, when teeth are overcrowded or misaligned, it is difficult to brush the hidden crevices where food particles can become stuck, leading to decay.
Orthodontics has also seen a surge in advances. Different types of braces are available depending on individual needs and circumstances. While under-18s can receive NHS-funded orthodontic treatment, options are limited to the Fixed Metal Brace. However, privately, you will find more options for yourself and your children.
This treatment is exactly what the name suggests. Fixed metal braces involve metal brackets and wires that are used to move your teeth to the desired alignment. Metal brackets are fixed onto your teeth, and metal wires are looped through. The dentist will then periodically tighten these wires throughout the treatment until movement is complete. These are the most traditional teeth straightening methods and are widely used because they are proven to work and give predictable results. They are also the most affordable option for teeth straightening and are available via the NHS.
Like fixed metal braces, this treatment uses brackets and wires. However, unlike the metal brackets, these are made from ceramic. Ceramic braces use a material that mirrors our natural teeth’ look, so this treatment is less noticeable and less of an eyesore. The school playground is notorious for bullying. Children today have enough to deal with without having to add being bullied to the list. This option is also great for adults who want straighter teeth without awkward stares. Ceramic braces allow a less noticeable treatment with guaranteed results and an affordable price range.
Invisalign is the most discreet teeth straightening treatment. With clear plastic aligners, Invisalign is virtually invisible. This treatment works using custom-made aligners that must be switched out every week until treatment is complete. These aligners are removable and must be worn daily for at least twenty-two hours to have the most impact. The treatment involves taking impressions, creating a plan, and creating custom trays and delivering them. Removable trays mean that you can enjoy food and drink without making adjustments, and they also make oral hygiene regimes easier to maintain.
Unlike fixed braces, clear aligners depend more on the patient. This means that the patient needs to remember to remove and replace the aligners at the right time and ensure that they are worn throughout the day and night for the recommended amount of time.
Teeth straightening treatments have no age restrictions and can benefit everybody. However, it is best to determine the need for treatment early on, as early treatment can prevent a host of other issues. Ideally, your child should be seen around age 7, assessed by a dentist, and referred to an orthodontist if needed.
Another branch of dentistry is cosmetic dentistry, which focuses largely on appearances and aesthetics. Cosmetic dentistry is largely an adult-focused branch that caters to adult needs. However, a few treatments can be appropriate for children if needed.
Children tend to fall and hurt themselves, and so accidents and injuries can occur where a tooth may crack, chip or fall out. Children who brush independently may not always do a thorough job, so dental hygiene concerns may result in tooth loss, etc.
Some treatments, such as bonding and bridges, can be considered for children in these cases.
Dental bonding involves composite resin material being attached to teeth and moulded to repair chips and cracks. Missing teeth in young children may be temporarily fixed using winged bridges; these are artificial teeth placed in the gap and attached to neighbouring teeth. As young children constantly grow, their jawbones do not completely develop until their late teens. For this reason, dental implants are not an option until much later.
Dental implants are a fantastic and permanent solution for adults with missing teeth. They are artificial tooth roots embedded into the jawbone. To fill the gap, prosthetic teeth are then attached in the form of dental crowns or dental bridges.
Other cosmetic treatments, such as teeth whitening and veneers, are a great way to reinvent your smile. Tackling discolouration can brighten up your smile and boost your confidence. Professional teeth whitening provided by your dentist can make an instant difference. Quality hydrogen peroxide gel is applied under expert care, and using advanced technology, your teeth are made several shades lighter.
This process is not ideal for children, especially those under 12, as their enamel has not fully developed and can become damaged. Veneers are also unsuitable due to the changing shape and structure of children’s jawbones and are primarily designed for adults who wish to create a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Veneers can tackle multiple problems in one sweep. They can brighten your smile, cover chips and cracks, and fill in gaps. Veneers are custom-made and can be tailored depending on what you need and hope to achieve.
To see if these treatments suit your needs, book a consultation today and discuss a personalised plan! Many dentists also offer smile makeovers, which involve combining several different treatments to completely reinvent your smile and give it a new lease of life.
If you are in Standish, contact our Wigan dentists today to see what we can do for you.
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