This post has been sponsored by myKIDSdds. All opinions are 100% our own.
Like any other seven-year-old, my son enjoys sports, Uno, and Fortnite, but he also relies heavily on mouth breathing, especially at night, and I knew that couldn’t be right for someone his age.
After a routine dental visit, I asked about the mouth breathing. Our dentist could already tell it was time for an orthodontist, as my son’s teeth had crowding issues—something related to mouth breathing and that an orthodontist can fix.
Sometimes pediatric dentists work hand in hand with orthodontists, like the team at myKIDSdds, offering both pediatric dentistry and orthodontic care. This makes it extremely convenient for when kids need to transition over to orthodontic treatment.
How Orthodontists Differ from Dentists
Orthodontics (also referred to as dentofacial orthopedics) is a specialized form of dentistry focusing on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial abnormalities. Proudly serving the Dallas area, myKIDSdds specializes in orthodontic care for children, teenagers and adults.
For us, my son’s mouth breathing was the sign that we should get an orthodontic consultation. Other indicators your kid might need to see an orthodontist include:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting food
- Finger or thumb sucking
- Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
- Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
- Teeth that come together unevenly, or do not come together at all
- Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
For my son, it was recommended that he get early treatment to prevent more invasive treatment later in life, and to expand his jaw to allow room for his adult teeth to come in.
The American Association of Orthodontics backs up our decision to seek an appointment, as they recommend that all children be seen by an orthodontist by age 7. At this age, an orthodontist can detect issues like crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, and other issues.
The award-winning doctors at myKIDSdds are up to date on the latest preventive care and treatment options. This all-in-one team of pediatric dentists and orthodontists work seamlessly together to make sure your child is smiling from start to finish.
Times Have Changed
One thing that I noticed immediately is that the choices for care are abundant and the technology has improved so much since I was a child with metal in my mouth! The advances in metal braces technology make them more comfortable, with a shorter treatment time; they are easy to clean; and they move the teeth more gently. MyKIDSdds also offers Invisalign, great for older children and adults who are responsible enough to care for the trays and want their braces to be more discreet.
Scheduling an orthodontic consultation and finding the best treatment for your child can impact their smile (and health!) for life. I know I rest easier knowing my son’s snoring is a thing of the past, and that we are on the right path for a lasting, healthy smile.
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Read More About myKIDSdds on Dallas Moms:
My Toddler Fell and Chipped His Tooth :: When to Call the Dentist
Why Seeing a Pediatric Dentist Is Super Important
Putting Down the Drill :: A New Way to Treat Tooth Decay at myKIDSdds
