Having a good dental home in your area is convenient, but having one that can treat your family’s needs is priceless.
Dr. Estes’ mission is to improve the city one smile at a time. She focuses on orthodontic treatment and provides cutting-edge technology and dental treatments such as emergency care and Invisalign here in El Cerrito.
Children and teenagers are the first who can benefit from orthodontic treatment. As soon as your kid has permanent teeth, and if needed, they can start with teeth aligners. However, it’s best if they visit their pediatric orthodontist before this.
In some cases, there are issues to solve before baby teeth are gone. Traditional braces are one of many options for your family. Teenagers who worry especially about their looks have the alternative of Invisalign clear aligners that are both efficient and discreet.
Our doctors will examine the patient’s mouth and determine whether they are Invisalign candidates or if their smile is better suited for metal or ceramic braces.
We emphasize the importance of orthodontic care in children because, this way, you could save them lots of time and money.
What Is Invisalign First?
Nowadays, children have as many options for orthodontic care as anyone. Invisalign First is Phase I of a Two-Phase treatment.
And what is a Two-Phase treatment? From ages six to ten, children who need it can start wearing orthodontic appliances to create more space in their jaws for future teeth and correct any incipient malocclusion problems. This is Phase I.
The purpose of two-phase treatment is to catch developing problems related to the growth of the dentofacial structures of children.
Early orthodontics can also help your child to have a healthy relationship with dentists and orthodontists. If they are used to visiting the dental office is harder for them to have an irrational fear. Plus, preventive care is the key to avoiding complex and painful solutions.
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign for Kids?
Pediatric dentistry is not an esthetic discipline. The position of our teeth has a direct connection with our oral health, and dental health impacts overall health.
Invisalign treatment is meant to correct your kid’s smile because misaligned teeth are harder to clean, thus, more prone to cavities and infections. And misaligned teeth can lead to malocclusion problems that intervene in your child’s speaking and chewing capacities.
Early orthodontics can sometimes prevent the later use of braces or other appliances.
Dental care for primary teeth is also essential in preventing future crowding. If your child loses a baby tooth due to deep cavities or physical trauma, their permanent teeth can suffer the consequences as well.
Of course, preventing accidents is not that easy, but preventing cavities is. Good dental hygiene is the foundation for good oral health. Teach your child the habit of brushing since their dentition process starts. You will have to help them until six or seven years of age.
There is no point in worrying about the alignment of your child’s teeth if they have tooth decay, bad breath, or/and gum disease.
What if My Kid Loses an Aligner?
Losing your aligner trays is so common. Even adults have trouble with this. Lost aligners are the first emergency Invisalign patients have.
While patients with braces can have poking wires or loose brackets, there are no real orthodontic emergencies for Invisalign patients.
If your child loses their clear aligners, you have to call the provider and let them know. Since each mold only last two to three weeks, depending on the time you lose them, you will get new ones or copies. Long periods without your trays can cause teeth to move into their previous position. It’s not that serious, but you should avoid this incident.
Other common emergencies with clear aligners are related to stains in the material after consuming dark beverages and broken Invisalign trays.
Though it is hard to break clear aligners, it can happen. But if this is the case, the procedure is pretty much the same as when you lose them.
How to Clean Your Kids’ Invisalign Aligners?
Oral hygiene with Invisalign is much easier than with braces since patients can take them off to do it.
One thing people ignore is that you need to clean your Invisalign trays every day. The process is simple; here is a guide:
- Rinse the Invisalign trays with hot or lukewarm water.
- Apply dish soap and use your fingers or/and a soft-bristle toothbrush to brush them gently.
- Rinse again.
If you want to try a deeper cleaning, you can find products like effervescent tablets special for this purpose.
Why Is Dental Hygiene So Important While Wearing Invisalign for Kids?
Tooth decay is the first dental disease. Statistics show fifty percent of the adult population in America have cavities.
In some cases, factors like genetics, habits, and diet elevate the risk of tooth decay. But dental hygiene always plays the leading role in this matter. Poor dental hygiene is the principal cause of bad breath, dental plaque, dental tartar, gum disease, oral infections, and more.
Poor oral hygiene can lead to tooth loss and blood infections, not to mention intense pain, even in children with baby teeth.
Braces or Invisalign for Kids?
Traditional braces are highly efficient; people know they can trust alignment treatment with metal braces. Invisalign treatment is newer but not less effective.
You, as a parent, and your child’s orthodontist, as the expert, will determine which option is better for your kid’s treatment. The doctor will have the last word on whether your kid is a candidate for Invisalign.
Each option has pros and cons. Conventional braces can permanently correct a significant number of severe dental issues such as overbite and underbite, crooked teeth, crowded smiles, et cetera. But they are less discreet and complex when it comes to eating and hygiene habits.
Invisalign aligners do not affect the patient’s lifestyle, but not every smile can have them. Depending on the characteristics of each case, the cost of Invisalign treatment can be higher than with metal braces. You can use insurance for both alternatives, and the prices do not differ much.
Seek Professional Orthodontics in El Cerrito, CA
Taking your kid for a professional examination is the best way to find their needs and keep any situation under control. Teeth alignment is just part of the situations you can correct with early orthodontics. Solve your doubts about orthodontic treatment with an appointment.
