You want to start your child going to the dentist shortly after they start getting teeth and make sure you follow the dentist's schedule from their first appointment on. This is going to be the best way to prevent some dental issues and to make sure your child gets fast and proper treatment for any other issues. Sometimes, there can be dental issues that come up even with proper routine dental care, such as crooked teeth. If your child has had their teeth come in crooked, then you'll want to get them in to see the orthodontist. An orthodontist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of issues like malpositioned teeth, as well as other issues with the teeth and jaws. Here is more information you should know when dealing with the possibility of such concerns with your child.

Crooked teeth in a child may not be an immediate cause for concern

While you will likely find yourself concerned the moment you suspect that there is an issue with your child's teeth, the good news is that the orthodontist may find that there is no reason to be alarmed. For example, if your child only has their first set of teeth in, then the orthodontist may feel that there is a chance that their permanent teeth may still come in straight. Or, the issue may not be as severe as you think, and they may feel it will self-correct as they get more of their permanent teeth in. However, they will still likely want to watch the situation. 

Crooked teeth can be corrected

If your child does have crooked teeth that the orthodontist does find to be problematic, the good news is that there are ways to correct crooked teeth. Clear aligners and braces are a couple of the most-used ways to correct crooked teeth. 

When it comes to children, braces are often the best way to go. One of the reasons for this is that they tend to give the quickest results, and your child will want to have their teeth straightened as soon as possible. However, you do want to know that braces will still take a while before the teeth are straightened enough for your child to move on to the final phase of straightening, which will be for them to wear a retainer after they get their braces off. However, the retainer will be less invasive, so they won't be very bothered by it. 

If your child does need braces, then you want to prepare them for being receptive to the braces so they won't be stressed out. You can let them know that they have all kinds of choices of colors they can go with, and some kids really like this fact.

To learn more about orthodontics, contact an orthodontist or dentist.

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