Pediatric dentistry is a specialized dentistry field that focuses on the health of the baby teeth and the whole chewing system of the child.
Between the ages of 6 to 10, children’s’ first permanent or “adult” teeth come in. During this stage, issues such as crowding can occur if the jaw has not yet grown sufficiently. Also, poor jaw and tooth alignment can result from incorrect lip or tongue function, as well as mouth breathing.
Studies indicate these issues continue through to the “third molars” or permanent dentition that erupt between 17 to 21 years of age, which then require complicated orthodontic treatments.
Dental Wellness Group recommends treating the problems as soon as they are evident, to reduce the need later for braces and extractions.
At Dental Wellness Group we offer the following services:
Screening for TMJ disorder
TMJ disorder is a misalignment of lower jaw that effects the whole chewing system, teeth health, head and neck areas. As misalignment of the lower jaw is often not obvious, parents should watch for specific symptoms. Signs to look for include light headaches, signs of ADHD, clicking in the jaw, and any discomfort in the mouth/ear areas that child expresses. These symptoms usually signal a jaw discrepancy that creates tension in the muscles and causes pain. Professional screening is necessary to detect the TMJ disorder in the child and level of discrepancy.
Orthopedic functional appliances
Special appliances correct orthopedic problems without requiring braces. These appliances typically are applied before 13 years of age as the jaw, lips and tongue are still in development. The key is to intercept this process to encourage correct swallowing habits, as well as improve tooth alignment and jaw growth.
