Unlike traditional dentistry, cosmetic dentistry refers to procedures and treatment that improve the overall appearance of teeth. Branches of cosmetic dentistry, such as orthodontics, and procedures, such as teeth whitening, have improved the oral well-being of children in particular.
In 2015, more than a million North Americans had braces. This is good news for family dentistry, especially for children, and both parents & kids are more open to cosmetic dentistry now. A good cosmetic dentist in Sarasota is not hard to find, for instance, Simply Smile Sarasota, which provides dental care for kids from the first year itself.
Here’s looking at why cosmetic dentistry for children is on the rise.
Oral Hygiene Tends to Get Overlooked
Parents often tend to neglect oral hygiene and early tooth-brushing in kids. The general perception is that dental problems come up later in life, since children anyway have lost all their baby teeth by age 12-13. However, the truth is that problems like tooth decay and cavities occur early in life. Dental implants for kids are fast becoming a reality to replace decayed or broken teeth. Cavities can also be filled with tooth-colored fillings now.
Enamel erosion is another major pediatric problem that cosmetic dentistry can address. Veneers that boost whitening can help with tooth discoloration.
The Need for Improving Children’s Self-Esteem
Problems with self-esteem start early in life, and dental caries are a commonly experienced pediatric dental disease. Foods like candies, fizzy drinks, cookies, and even fruit juices can cause significant tooth decay. Porcelain crowns are a good option when seeking family dentistry for children & older kids.
Acidic foods and drinks can cause staining of the teeth. As children grow older, they grow more conscious of their appearance, and one’s teeth are one of the most visible parts of the body. Cosmetic dentistry can let them express themselves fully with smile makeover programs and dental laminates.
Tendency to Develop Protruding ‘Buck’ Teeth
Thumb-sucking is a common habit that is otherwise harmless, but if continued for a long time, can cause problems with teeth alignment and even biting. Children can also have naturally crooked or unevenly spaced teeth, which will eventually require cosmetic dentistry. With modern techniques like Invisalign, where aligners are customized for each wearer, these problems can be successfully corrected.
Protrusive or unevenly spaced teeth are not just a cosmetic problem, but one that can interfere with one’s ability to bite and chew properly. Orthodontics can prevent tooth extractions later in life, also because straight teeth are less vulnerable to tooth decay and periodontitis.
Injuries to Teeth are Common in Childhood
The rise of cosmetic dentistry for children is also due to its effectiveness at dealing with dental emergencies. The teeth are one of the most important organs in the body, and toothache from sensitivity or decay, or broken teeth from a freak injury, can make a child miserable.
The trauma can get to the jaw and cause facial swelling, which can worsen into an infection. If a child has a chipped or broken tooth, implants can solve the problem and treatment should be sought immediately from services for family dentistry for children & older kids.
