For normal parents, their baby is the best and most beautiful in the world. But children sometimes have such defects in appearance that even the most loving and indulgent dad and mom cannot close their eyes to. One of these defects is malocclusion. It's not just that crooked, incorrectly positioned teeth look extremely unattractive. The problem is much deeper and more serious. After all, an incorrect bite can cause gum disease and a number of problems with the gastrointestinal tract. What should parents do?
Instructions
Step 1
Above all, don't forget about prevention! The habit of a toddler to suck a thumb or hold the edges of toys in his mouth can contribute to the development of a malocclusion. Try to wean your child out of it.
Step 2
You should not repeat the very common mistake of parents who believe that there is no need to sound the alarm until the milk teeth are replaced by permanent ones. Remember: the earlier you begin to correct the malocclusion, the faster and easier it can be done. Moreover, milk teeth are also important in the formation of the bite.
Step 3
Ideally, both for complacency and for prevention, it is worth showing the child to the orthodontist even before the teeth begin to erupt. A qualified doctor, even at this stage, will be able to determine with very high accuracy whether your baby's bite will be disturbed. This will help you avoid problems in the future and begin to prevent malocclusion.
Step 4
You can normalize the shape and closure of the dentition using a variety of techniques and devices. In some of the mildest cases, the use of massage and special gymnastics is sufficient.
Step 5
But more often you have to resort to the installation of orthodontic appliances - plates and aligners. Plates are generally used between the ages of 6 and 10. Mouthguards are most effective before the age of 15. A significant plus of mouthguards is that they should be worn daily, but for a very short time - no more than 2 hours.
Step 6
In the most difficult cases, you have to resort to the use of braces. It is not worth worrying and being complex about this: firstly, this is done so that the teeth become correct and beautiful, and secondly, many modern bracket systems can be fixed from the inner surface of the teeth, thereby saving the child from moral discomfort.
