Dental implants can make a smile look fabulous – I know I have them. However, if you are just thinking about getting them, you may have a lot of questions. You may be wondering how smoking affects implants, whether or not wine will stain them, if they can be whitened or other concerns. I also know from experience that it can be intimidating to ask some of these questions to your dentist. In my dental implant blog, I am going to answer the questions that can be hard to ask. I hope you find the info you need in this blog and that it guides you to the right decision about dental implants. Thanks for reading!
-
The Benefits of Visiting a Children's Dentist 6 November 2023
-
Understanding the Role of an Emergency Dental Clinic 26 June 2023
Dental Implants: Stains, Whitenings and Other Considerations
4 Tips to Reduce Your Child's Risk of Needing Braces
Isobel Berry
Some people assume that orthodontic problems are an inevitable consequence of an individual's genes and that there is no way to avoid them, but some dentists argue that the way you use your mouth as an infant and child can affect how the teeth develop. To increase the chance of your child's teeth developing with a good alignment, follow these four tips for healthy dental development.
1. Breastfeed If You Can
During breastfeeding, babies use the muscles in their tongue to latch onto the nipple. According to some dental experts, this helps babies to develop a strong, healthy tongue and adopt a correct tongue posture. Sucking milk from the nipple exerts forces on the palate and gums that encourage teeth to come through with a healthy, non-crowded alignment. Of course, not everyone can breastfeed, but if you can master the skill and have time, it can be a good option to protect your child.
2. Wean Your Baby on Chewy Foods
When your child's first teeth appear, you can begin to give solid foods for them to chew on. As well as soft foods like yoghurt and mashed banana, try giving some foods that require a small amount of chewing, such as steamed vegetables. The forces that chewing exerts on the jaw may help to stimulate healthy bone development.
3. Do Not Use Pacifiers
Orthodontists advise against excessive pacifier use during early childhood. Although young children often find it comforting to suck on a pacifier, the habit can lead to a type of dental misalignment known as overjet. In this condition, the upper incisors jut outward from the rest of the teeth. This kind of misalignment is one of the most common reasons for kids needing braces. Rely on methods other than pacifier use to calm your baby, such as rocking, singing, talking in a soothing voice, or distracing the infant with a toy.
4. See the Dentist Regularly
Regular dental checkups allow your dentist to ensure your child's teeth are developing normally. During these routine appointments, the dentist can look for early signs of dental misalignment, crowding, mispositioned teeth, or other problems that can lead to kids needing braces in adolescence. When these problems are spotted early, the treatment that is necessary to correct them is often less invasive. Although you cannot guarantee that your child will not use braces, you may be able to reduce the length of treatment that is needed.
For more information, contact a local orthodontist.
Share