Cosmetic dentistry—it’s not just for adults anymore. As a matter of fact, more children, with their parents’ permission of course, are opting for cosmetic dentistry procedures today than ever before. In fact, recent studies from pediatric dentists suggested that nearly double the number of children had cosmetic procedures performed on their teeth in the past five years than in the entire decade before. For this reason, it’s more important than ever that parents learn the facts about the cosmetic dental procedures that are available to their children. Children can experience a number of issues with their teeth due to such issues as sports injuries, eating too many sweets, or even genetics. Because children are particularly susceptible to experiencing issues with their teeth, it’s vital that parents understand how those teeth problems and the negative impacts they can have on their children’s health, well-being, and self-esteem. It’s also very important that parents learn the potential difference between a child who is just going through a little growing pains and a child whose emotional well-being may be at stake due to a problem with his or her teeth. That’s why dental offices in New Jersey have compiled these cosmetic dentistry tips for kids. For more answers to dental questions contact a cosmetic dentist near you.
The procedures
There are a number of cosmetic dentistry procedures that are safe for children. The following are just a few of the cosmetic dentistry procedures that can benefit children, particularly those who are facing the loss of a tooth, discoloration of teeth, misaligned teeth, etc.
- Dental bonding: Bonding is great to repair teeth that are decayed or decaying. Dental bonding helps to restore teeth’s natural shape and color.
- Dental flipper: If a child loses a tooth due to decay or trauma, often a dental flipper will be used. Where a dental implant may be used for an adult, implants typically aren’t available to those under 17.
- Crowns: Crowns restore teeth that are broken down. Where stainless steel crowns were once used, today children may be able to get white crowns.
- Teeth whitening: Children under their teen years typically aren’t considered patients for teeth whitening, though it may be an option to help in cases of trauma or discoloration. Consult with a cosmetic dentist.
- Orthodontics: Teeth that are crowded in the mouth often are realigned with orthodontics. However, orthodontics also typically are used on older children.
Reasons for it
There are a number of excellent arguments in favor of certain cosmetic dentistry procedures for children, including:
- Bad bite: If teeth are misaligned, this will cause the patient to have a bad or misaligned bite. Such misalignments can cause face distortions, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), and problems with chewing.
- Digestion: Naturally, if the above occurs (bad bite), which can cause problems with chewing, digestive problems may follow. Proper chewing produces all-important saliva which contains enzymes that aid in the digestive process. Without proper enzymes, digestive problems such as heartburn and ulcers can occur.
- Self-esteem issues: Perhaps the most obvious reason to opt for a cosmetic dentistry procedure in the case of a child is issues with confidence. Fixing misaligned, broken, or discolored teeth can help boost her self-esteem.
Considerations
Many pediatric cosmetic dentists recommend waiting for a child’s permanent teeth to come in before making decisions about cosmetic changes. However, this is not a hard and fast rule for the simple fact that some problems with teeth can lead to the problems mentioned above, such as bad bite, problems with chewing, digestive disorders, etc. Though bleaching in less concentrated solutions is considered safe for children, some teeth whitening procedures can cause irritated gums or tooth sensitivity in children. For best results, always consult with a cosmetic dentist near you. Additionally, as with all dental procedures, it’s vital that a good oral hygiene routine is followed for optimal oral health, particularly in children.
Being a child isn’t easy. In fact, in many ways it’s harder than ever. From bullying and cyber bullying, to peer pressure that seems to have reached new heights, children are facing new challenges that many of us adults didn’t face. And problems with their teeth can top the list, particularly if those problems negatively impact their health and self-esteem. Thanks to today’s proven cosmetic dentistry procedures, many children are experiencing the positive affects having their teeth fixed can have on both their physical as well as their emotional health.
