November 12, 2008
Ask any child with less-than-perfect teeth about the nicknames and teasing… and you’ll no doubt hear a sad story. We hear them every day – Goofy, Bugs Bunny, Fang. That’s rough! There is real substance to such a child’s social pain.
One study on childhood harassment found that protruding or misaligned teeth were the single most common target of name-calling among kids. Further, children with orthodontic problems are more subject to bullying than their luckier peers.
We’ve all experienced the hostility of childhood epithets – it’s part of growing up. But for some of us, the bad memories don’t “go away.” Early and persistent humiliation can become an adult’s psychological baggage.
Part of our job as orthodontists is a social one. We know how a child with a problem bite feels. We know that it’s a situation that can be prevented. We have the means of correcting every “bad bite” out there – and with it, the social brutality so devastating to young self-esteem.
We would like every child in our community to have the advantages of a normal, healthy countenance. Orthodontic evaluation is the first step. The VALUE of a healthy, beautiful SMILE…. PRICELESS!!!!
October 4, 2008
ST. LOUIS-Because orthodontists can spot subtle
problems with jaw growth or teeth while a child still has primary or
“baby” teeth present, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)
recommends all children get a check-up with an orthodontic specialist
no later than age 7.
Some problems are not so subtle and may not be noticed by parents.
The AAO has gathered examples of these kinds of problems, also known as
malocclusions, in a short educational guide, Problems to Watch for in
Growing Children now posted at www.braces.org in the “About Orthodontics” section.
Among malocclusions pictured in Problems to Watch for in Growing
Children are crossbites, open bite, protrusion, deep bite, underbite,
spacing problems, and oral habits. Orthodontists want to identify these
kinds of problems in patients as early as possible so that the
appropriate care can be initiated at the appropriate time for the
individual patient.
Other indicators of the need for a check-up with an orthodontic specialist include:
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early or late loss of baby teeth
difficulty in chewing or biting
mouth breathing
jaws that shift or make sounds
speech difficulties
biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth
facial imbalance
grinding or clenching of the teeth
If parents notice any of
these signs in their children, they should consult with an
orthodontist. If their child is younger than seven, it is not necessary
to wait to see the orthodontist until their child reaches their seventh
birthday. If a child is older than seven, a check-up is certainly
advisable.
Orthodontists are uniquely qualified specialists who correct
improperly aligned teeth and jaws. The Commission on Dental
Accreditation of the American Dental Association requires orthodontists
to have at least two years of post-doctoral, advanced specialty
training in orthodontics in an accredited residency program, after
graduation from dental school. Only those who have completed this
rigorous training may call themselves “orthodontists.” And only
orthodontists may be members of the AAO.
For more information about orthodontics or for the names of AAO member orthodontists in your area, visit www.braces.org or call 1-800-STRAIGHT (1-800-787-2444). Your dentist also can provide recommendations on orthodontists near you.
Who is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist
specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and
facial irregularities. Orthodontists receive an additional two-to-three
years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper
way to align and straighten teeth. Only orthodontists are eligible for
membership in the AAO.
About the American Association of Orthodontists:
The
AAO comprises 15,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.
Founded in 1900, the AAO supports research and education leading to
quality patient care and promotes increased public awareness of the
need for and benefits of orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists are
uniquely qualified to correct improperly aligned teeth and jaws. They
are specialists in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental
and facial irregularities. The American Dental Association requires
orthodontists to have at least two academic years of advanced specialty
training in orthodontics in an accredited program, after graduation
from dental school.
Press Contact:
Pam Paladin
(314) 993-1700, ext. 524
ppaladin@aaortho.org
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american association of orthodontics, bite, Orthodontics