{"id":1130,"date":"2017-08-04T13:40:54","date_gmt":"2017-08-04T19:40:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belmarorthodontics.bs1prkpw-liquidwebsites.com\/?p=1130"},"modified":"2022-10-18T01:02:56","modified_gmt":"2022-10-18T01:02:56","slug":"adult-child-orthodontics-differ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.belmarorthodontics.com\/adult-child-orthodontics-differ\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do Adult and Child Orthodontics Differ?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Advancements in adult and child orthodontics have triggered a rise in adults seeking treatment for oral challenges they have had for years. When deciding to pursue orthodontic treatment, understanding the differences between adult and child orthodontics can help you decide what type of treatment is right for you. Everyone should want their best smile. Feeling confident about your teeth and smile is essential for healthy self-esteem and confidence. You can achieve both of those benefits with braces. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Benefits of Braces<\/b><\/h2>\n

For years, braces have helped millions of people receive a more beautiful smile. About 4 million Americans on average each year are wearing braces. You may think that braces are mostly for teenagers, but you may be surprised to know that about <\/span>25%<\/span><\/a> of braces wearers are actually adults. A large portion of those 4 million are also children. Braces benefit people of all ages and it\u2019s never too late to get your own set. Why are braces so important? Straighter teeth keep the mouth in proper alignment and help even out the pressure placed on the jaw each time you talk, bite, eat and more. When the teeth are straighter, they are easier to clean, especially to floss in between the teeth. This is why people with straighter teeth have a reduced risk for oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Tooth Decay and Gum Disease<\/b><\/h2>\n

The biggest oral health problems are <\/span>tooth decay<\/span><\/a> and gum disease. These problems come from lack of good oral hygiene habits. If you skip on brushing and flossing the teeth (or not doing them enough) you may start to have problems. When food sits on the teeth, the sugars from the food you ate (or drank) mix with bacteria in the mouth. This mixture creates a sticky acidic substance called plaque. That plaque works hard to erode your tooth enamel. If it sits on the teeth long enough without being cleaned through brushing or flossing, it will seep into the center of your tooth, called the pulp. This is where that acidic plaque will start to decay your tooth. If left untreated, the problem can become severe. Tooth decay is the most wide-spread childhood disease. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Gum disease is similar to tooth decay, but it has to do with the gums. Plaque is not your friend in this case either. When it sits on the teeth for too long, it can irritate the gums. You may notice your gums begin to turn more red and they may become inflamed. Over time, if good oral hygiene habits are not established, the gums will begin to recede from the teeth. This can eventually cause the teeth to begin falling out. About <\/span>64.7 million<\/span><\/a> American adults suffer from some form of gum disease. That\u2019s not even including the number for children! Even though tooth decay and gum disease are so wide-spread, they can both be prevented by brushing and flossing several times a day and by establishing and keeping good oral hygiene habits. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Child Orthodontics<\/b><\/h2>\n

One area we specialize in is child orthodontics. A large portion of the people that wear braces are children. The <\/span>American Association of Orthodontics<\/span><\/a> recommends that children have their first orthodontic visit between ages 7 and 8. Having an examination early-on helps prevent the progression of orthodontic issues that may be present. In children, we can detect certain orthodontic problems\u2014such as underbite or crossbite\u2014that are present. These problems can be fixed with child orthodontics and other bite and alignment problems such as overbite, openbite and malocclusion. The jaw is still forming in children, so performing child orthodontics at this age can help easily correct problems that are harder to deal with as an adult. Even if your child does not show any signs or symptoms of orthodontic complications, you can still benefit from child orthodontics. Some benefits include:<\/span><\/p>\n