Fast Facts for Those Who Wonder if Their Child Needs an Orthodontist

Many parents in Commack and the surrounding area watch closely after their children’s’ baby teeth being to fall out, anxiously wondering whether or not their son or daughter’s adult teeth will come in straight. The idea of an orthodontist sounds daunting and expensive. If you see potential problems, such as crooked teeth, gaps, or bite problems you’ll want to schedule an appointment with a local orthodontist.

When Should Your Child see an Orthodontist?

Many people think their child has to see an orthodontist in their teens for braces. Many orthodontists are now doing braces earlier, depending on the age of your child. The sooner treatment starts, the easier it could be to improve the symmetry of the smile. And while orthodontics aren’t necessarily without difficulty at any age, many report that they would rather their child get braces out of the way before the tumultuous teenage years, when kids are extra self-conscious. Through making an appointment with an orthodontist, you can find out what treatment method is right for your child. Many recommend that at age 7, if you have concerns, you make an appointment for a consultation with an orthodontist.

How Much Will an Orthodontist Cost?

The cost of orthodontic treatment is going to vary depending on a number of factors. And while your dental plan may only cover part of those costs, dental financing or payment plans for orthodontics can be available.

Will the Treatment be Painful for My Child?

Movement of the teeth can cause some temporary discomfort. Pain relief, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be helpful and patients typically report that pain subsides after 1-3 days. Your orthodontist will talk to you, at length, about the treatment plan, what to expect, and pain relief options.

How Can I Learn More about Orthodontic Options in Commack?

An appointment with our Commack orthodontist can help you find out what might be in store for your child’s smile. We would be happy to meet with you for a consultation in our Commack, NY location. We focus on pediatric dentistry, meeting the needs of children as well as putting them at ease.

Helping Your Children Learn to Love Flossing

The best pediatric dentist in Long Island can provide checkups, perform dental x-rays, and joke with the kids before a dental procedure. However, it takes the help of parents to really get kids to love flossing their teeth. The average dentist struggles to get patients to floss regularly, so you can imagine how hard it is for a pediatric dentist to instill a love of flossing in patients who would rather watch cartoons or play video games than worry about their teeth. In order to have healthy gums and teeth for years, children need to enjoy caring for their teeth.  

Why Brushing Isn't Enough for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Kids often equate brushing their teeth with doing a good job at taking care of their teeth and gums. They don't realize the importance of flossing in order to get the food and plaque that builds up in between the teeth that a toothbrush doesn't reach. When a child brushes, he or she is getting the plaque buildup off of the surface of the tooth. However, small particles of food get stuck in between the teeth along the gum line. When a child brushes his or her teeth at night, only the particles remaining on the surface of the teeth get washed away. Without flossing, the particles stuck in between the teeth begin to build up and can cause tooth decay, gingivitis, and bad breath.  

Encouraging Children to Floss

The key to instilling a love of flossing is to make it fun. At Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County, our doctors and staff know how to help children relax by making dentistry fun. That's why our office was voted the best pediatric dentist in Long Island in 2014. Parents don’t need to be dentists to make dental care fun. Encourage young children by printing out a flossing sticker chart. If the chart shows that they flossed every day of the week, provide a non-monetary reward like a spoonful of extra dessert or extra television time on the weekend.

There are fun, colorful floss sticks available for children who can't yet handle using regular dental floss. These sticks make flossing fun and easy for beginning learners. The earlier you begin teaching your children how and why to floss, the better care they'll take of their teeth as adults.