How Having Straight Teeth Can Boost Your Child’s Overall Health

Did you know that February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? While it’s a great time for you to instill excellent dental health habits in your child, it’s also important to visit an orthodontist in Newark. As you continue reading, you’ll learn how impactful your child’s orthodontic health can be on his or her overall wellness, and what can be done to ensure a joyful and functional future!

Straight Teeth for More Than Just a Nice Smile

While there’s no denying the fact that having your child’s bite corrected with orthodontic treatment will create a beautiful smile and boost his or her confidence, the benefits extend much farther. It turns out that having straight teeth can offset a host of potential problems. Thus, this is the perfect time to be proactive and seek help with fixing your child’s teeth.

The Issues That a Poor Bite Can Cause

Here are some of the challenges you can dodge by having gapped, crooked, misaligned or crowded teeth fixed with orthodontic treatment:

• Premature Wear – When teeth are misaligned, the unbalanced distribution of pressure can lead to chipping, notching (the roots becoming worn) and an abnormal flattening of the biting surface.
• Jaw Trouble – Malocclusion (poor bite) can contribute to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, which is the painful inflammation of the hinge that opens and closes the jaw.
• Periodontal Disease – It’s harder to clean misaligned teeth. Poor dental hygiene can then lead to periodontal (gum) disease, which is when the soft tissue becomes inflamed and infected.
• Overall Health Problems – Poor dental hygiene that contributes to plaque growth and the development of periodontal disease can eventually lead to serious health issues like hypertension, heart disease and stroke.

The Power to Make a Change

Every parent desires for his or her child to have the healthiest future possible. During the month of February, you have an excellent opportunity to take a step in that direction. By having your child’s bite corrected with braces in Newark, you can have the peace-of-mind of knowing that you’re setting a sound foundation for his or her future.

What’s even better is that braces aren’t what they used to be. There are now options available that will allow your child to enjoy a more discreet treatment process. This is especially important for teenagers, who are usually more self-conscious of their appearance.

When you visit your local orthodontist, the specialist will go over the different options with you and your child. The path to a bright tomorrow starts with the actions you take today!

About the Author

Dr. Timothy G. Wigal earned his dental degree from the West Virginia University School of Dentistry. He then went on to receive a certificate of specialty in orthodontics from the West Virginia University Department of Orthodontics, as well as a Masters of Science degree. Dr. Wigal corrects children’s bites and boosts their confidence by placing braces at Wigal Orthodontics. He can be reached for more information through his website.