Our children are our pride and joy. We want them to be at their best and equipped with the confidence to face the world. Your child’s teeth and breath must smell clean and maintained. Proper care for oral health starts at home. It would help if you taught our children the importance of oral health and hygiene as early as possible. You have to ensure that your child gets the proper oral care by subjecting them to regular orthodontic check up available in Sydney, Australia.
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Children’s oral health and self-esteem
There is a correlation between oral health and self-esteem. Kids and adolescents with great oral health are more confident when communicating. They are not afraid of what others would think. They know they have great teeth alignment and breath that lacks foul odour. Conversely, the opposite applies when a person has poor oral health and appearance. There is proof that adolescents who have dental disorders are negatively affected by them in terms of appearance and psychosocial behaviour. These dental disorders have a huge impact on a child’s self-esteem.
Your responsibility as a parent is to ensure that your child gets the proper orthodontic treatment should there be a need for it. The best way to find out is to bring your child to an orthodontist.
Consequences of oral health negligence
Oral health negligence comes with a price. The effect of dental disorders on a child can be both internal and external and can have long-term effects if not treated.
Aesthetic: The most noticeable effect of neglected children’s oral health is on their physical aspect. The dental disorder malocclusion affects the alignment of the teeth. This misalignment can range from mild to extremely obvious. Tooth decay can cause the teeth to discolour and rot. The smell of their breath may become foul and other children will start to avoid talking to them because of it.
Pain and discomfort: It is bad enough that your child suffers from a dental disorder that negatively affects their appearance. Your child may also experience pain and discomfort from their dental issues if left untreated.
Speech issues: There is a greater chance of a child having speech distortion when they have dental issues. The child’s tongue position and movement can be affected by misaligned teeth resulting in difficulty pronouncing words properly. This can be a source of insecurity when your child gets teased or bullied.
Low self-esteem: Anything that makes your child look strange or stand out in a bad way will affect their self-esteem. Children with misaligned teeth may feel self-conscious about their appearance and may avoid social situations as a result. Some kids can be mean, and your child may even experience teasing and bullying. These take a toll on a child’s confidence.
Orthodontic treatments for your child
Visiting a kids’ orthodontist is the best thing you can do for your child to assess and plan for any likelihood of dental disorders preemptively. It is recommended to bring your child for a check-up when they reach the age of 7 or 8. Kids’ orthodontists in Sydney, Australia, are trained and prepared to handle children.
The most common orthodontic treatment is braces. Braces are used to correct dental disorders such as crooked or crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. Braces work by applying continuous pressure to the teeth, gradually moving them into the correct position over time. Traditional braces are made of stainless steel, with brackets attached to each tooth, and an archwire applies the pressure. Orthodontic treatment with braces can improve oral health and reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
An alternative to traditional metal braces for kids is clear aligners. These are transparent and made of plastic which the child wears over their teeth to align them. Several clear aligners are made for one patient, each one more progressive than the previous. An aligner is worn for a certain number of days until the next orthodontist visit. The next aligner will be used in place of the previous one until the last one. These clear aligners are easy to clean and can be taken off when eating or performing rigorous activities such as sports.
Conclusion
You need to instil confidence and raise your children’s self-esteem for them to have a better chance at performing in life. The effects of dental disorders on a child’s self-esteem are difficult to eliminate and could stay until they grow old. You should encourage your children to take good care of their teeth and seek the help of a kid’s orthodontist if necessary. You will spend time and money on these treatments, but the returns regarding your child’s improved self-esteem are priceless.
