When Should My Child Be Evaluated for Braces?

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Braces can straighten your child’s teeth and align their jaw. Straightening your child’s teeth can improve your child’s appearance and can help them feel confident in their smile. There are lots of good reasons to get your child braces! If you’re a parent, it’s important to know when to bring your child for an orthodontic evaluation. Here is what you need to know about when to bring your child to the pedodontist in Omaha, NE for an orthodontic evaluation.

Signs Your Child May Need Braces

You may not always be able to tell if your child needs braces, but here are some signs to watch for:

  • Crooked teeth
  • Crowded teeth
  • Teeth don’t line up when the jaw is closed
  • Severe overbite or under bite
  • Your child bites the inside of their mouth when they’re eating
  • Your child has difficulty pronouncing certain words or sounds

Experts Recommend First Evaluation By Age 7

Whether your child shows signs of needing braces or not, experts from the American Association of Orthodontists recommend bringing your child for an orthodontic evaluation by the time they turn about 7 years old.

Waiting until your child is older could mean that you miss out on opportunities to get your child early help. Early orthodontic help can save you money and can correct your child’s orthodontic problems when they’re still in the early stages.

Not Sure? Give Us a Call!

If you’re not sure about whether to have your child evaluated for braces, try calling us to make an appointment! We provide orthodontic evaluations and early orthodontic treatment in Omaha, NE. We’ll be happy to help your child as well.

Phase 1 Treatment

The One Surefire Way to Stop a Dangerous Thumb-Sucking Habit

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Many children suck their thumbs. However, at a certain point, this habit could become a danger to your child’s oral health. If you are like most people, you search high and low for different ways to help your child break that habit. But what you might not know is that your pediatric dentist in Omaha, NE, can help (more about that in a moment).

The Dangers of Thumb-Sucking

Thumb sucking is normal for babies and small children. However, after six months of age, that habit should begin to decrease. And, after age three, most children naturally wean themselves of the thumb-sucking habit. But that’s not always the case.

If your child continues to suck their thumb after the age of three, you risk the following.

  • Misaligned teeth
  • Overbite, open bite
  • Misshaped jaw
  • Tongue thrusting
  • Unnatural growth of the palate (roof of the mouth)

So, if your child is still sucking their thumb after the age of three and you’ve tried everything to break that habit, it’s time to talk with your dentist about a solution.

What Is a Palatal Crib and How Does It Work?

Most people don’t know this, but your pediatric dentist has what’s called a palatal crib, and it will immediately break your child of their thumb-sucking habit. Just like that!

A palatal crib in Omaha, NE, is an oral appliance made up of semicircular wires (or other type of appliance). It’s placed behind the front teeth and keeps your child’s thumb from touching their gums, breaking the sensation that encourages thumb-sucking. Without getting that pleasurable sensation, your child no longer has a reason to continue sucking their thumb.

Are You Looking for a Reputable Pediatric Dentist?

If your child has a thumb-sucking habit that you just can’t seem to break, please Contact Pedodontics, P.C. today. We will examine your child’s oral health and show you how easily a thumb-sucking habit can be immediately broken using a palatal crib.

Is Your Child a Good Candidate for Early Orthodontic Treatment?

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Early orthodontic treatment in Omaha, NE, can be ideal for some children, while others should wait until late childhood or the early teen years before their parents consider braces for them. By early orthodontic treatment, we mean that some kids are ready for braces by age seven but not earlier. We also join the American Academy of Orthodontics in recommending that all children undergo an orthodontic evaluation no later than seven years of age.

Why So Young?

In past generations, orthodontists did not even think about putting braces on a child until they were around 12 or 13 years old and had all their molar teeth. However, visiting an orthodontist by age seven makes our staff aware of your child’s issues much earlier and helps us decide whether early intervention is appropriate for them.

For example, we can determine whether and where your child’s permanent adult teeth will erupt. If it looks like they will be out of alignment, we can take steps several years ahead of schedule to prevent that. Even though your child has not lost all the baby teeth yet, their teeth and jaws are much more pliable and easily treatable than those of an older child or adult.

Early Treatment Followed by Later Treatment

If one of our pediatric dentists determines that your child is a good candidate for early orthodontic intervention, he or she will wear braces for several months and then have them removed. We have your child wear headgear at night or space maintainers day and night after completing Phase 1 treatment. Phase 2 treatment begins a few years later and typically involves wearing braces for a longer period.

We understand that you probably have a lot of questions about early orthodontic treatment in Omaha NE. Please reach out to request an initial orthodontic consultation.

4 Common Pediatric Dental Issues

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As apediatric dentist in Omaha, NE, we see our fair share of childhood dental issues. While your youngster may be perfect in every other way, they may need some help in the dental department. Here are four of the most common pediatric dental issues that we see in our practice.

1. Persistent Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking is a natural part of growing up. Some babies even suck their thumb in-utero! Beyond a certain age, though, thumb-sucking can become a dental problem. Typically, if this habit persists beyond the age of four, teeth can become misaligned, and even the jaw may incur developmental problems.

2. Teeth Rotting
It’s an odd fact, but teeth can actually rot before they even have a chance to erupt from the gums. This usually happens due to a genetic predisposition and excess sugar consumption. Sugar hides in otherwise healthy foods and drinks, including apple juice, milk, and fresh fruit. Moderation and oral hygiene are essential!

3. Tongue Thrusting
Tongue thrusting is the habit of pushing the tongue against or between the teeth during swallowing. If left unaddressed, it can contribute to dental misalignment and speech issues.

4. Teeth Grinding
Many children grind their teeth at night, unbeknownst to their parents. This habit is evident at the dentist’s office, however, as bruxism causes damage to teeth. It can also be discovered from other symptoms, such as chronic headaches and jaw or neck pain.

Your child’s firstpediatric dentist appointment in Omaha, NE, should occur no later than their first birthday or when the first tooth erupts. Starting your child early on with routine dental visits is a great first step toward a lifetime of dental health. Contact us today to book your child’s appointment!

Phase 1 Treatment

How to Ease Dental Anxiety for Children

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Visiting the dentist can be scary for anyone—no matter the age. However, when we’re younger, dental anxiety tends to be more severe. Whether it’s getting a filling or a more common service like dental cleaning, some kids are frightened to visit the dentist. Luckily, we’re here to help.

In this post, we’ll discuss a few tips for treating dental anxiety in children.

Tell your kids about upcoming treatments
While your child may dread going to the dentist, never keep upcoming visits a secret. This can only add to the anxiety. Even if they don’t want to hear the news, it can help them mentally prepare. Also, allow your kid to express their feelings to you about the dentist. Talking through it all may ease their worries.

If your child is ready for their next dental visit, Pedodontics, P.C. is here to help! We offer trusted and professional pediatric dentistry in Omaha, NE.

Find the right dentist
Not all pediatric dentists are created equal. While most providers are good with kids, others struggle. That said, do your research to find the best pediatric dentistry for your child. Also, find out how they treat dental anxiety. While there are various ways to deal with anxiety in a dental office, not all dentists use the right techniques.

Teach relaxation exercises
Anxiety is something we can control in our minds. If we can find calm in stressful situations, anxiety is less of a problem. That said, try to teach your child to relax. You can accomplish this with deep breathing exercises that can slow down their heart rate. While they breathe, encourage them to focus on their breath.

By trying the tips listed above, your child may find peace and calm in the dental chair. If you would like to make an appointment with our experienced pediatric dentist in Omaha, NE, contact us today!

Tips to Help Your Child Adjust to Braces

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Children often need braces before they have the full maturity to accept the situation completely. For youngsters, braces may feel less like a way to improve their teeth and more like a problem. These tips to help your child adjust to braces may help.

Adjust Their Treats

Your child may have certain favorite treats that may not work well with braces. Your pedodontist in Omaha, NE, will give you a list of foods and snacks to avoid. But it’s too much to expect your child to give up all the treats. A good idea is to substitute old treats for new ones. Ideas for treats that won’t get stuck in braces include fruit yogurt, dried banana chips, easy-peel tangerines, applesauce, and more.

Share Books About Kids With Braces

It will be easier for your child to accept wearing braces if they know they aren’t the only one. Source books online and at the library about kids with braces and pictures of children wearing braces. You may even be able to find ones with a humorous plot line.

Talk to Them About Why the Braces are Necessary

Don’t assume that your child knows that their teeth alignment problems need correction. Take the time to explain why the braces are necessary and answer all their questions truthfully. Remember that your child may think up new questions after your “chat,” so be prepared to discuss it each time the topic comes up.

If braces for kids in Omaha, NE, is something that your family is facing, talk to your pedodontist for help and inspiration for getting your child on board with the idea. In the meantime, contact us to book your child’s next appointment for dental treatment. We look forward to helping your child get a big, beautiful smile!

How Can I Help My Child Prep for Braces at Home?

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It’s not always easy to convince kids to do things that they’ll actually enjoy, let alone an activity that could lead to some pain and discomfort. If you’re wondering how you can help your child prepare for orthodontic appointments in Omaha, NE, we’ll look at what you can control.

Give Your Child the Gist

You don’t have to take your child through every last part of the procedures, but you can tell them what they can expect. From scents to immobilization, you can give them an idea of what everyone expects of them and how they can best get through it.

There’s no need to sugarcoat anything — your child may feel some degree of nervousness or physical pain during or after their appointments. However, you can let them know that everything they’re going through is entirely routine. Once they know that plenty of other kids have gotten through it, they might feel like they have the upper hand.

You can also get their meals ready now, so they know what they’re going to eat. If your kid loves mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese, now is the perfect time to emphasize that they’ll get to eat what they want (including ice cream) as they recover from more intensive procedures. Also, let them know that whatever they’re going through, even if it’s braces on their teeth for the next two years, does have a time limit.

Find an Orthodontist in Omaha, NE

If you’re looking for an orthodontist in Omaha that specializes in making children feel comfortable, the staff at Pedodontics, P.C. understands what the stakes are. The more agreeable your child is to dental procedures today, the more likely they’ll have excellent oral health for the rest of their lives.

Tips For Tooth Hygiene for Kids With Braces

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If you have a youngster in the house with braces in Omaha, NE, you probably already have an idea of how hard it can be to get them to take extra care with their oral hygiene. Getting kids to brush and floss is difficult enough, but with braces, even more, effort is needed to ensure oral hygiene. Here are some smart and fun tips to support oral hygiene for kids with braces.

Make Bad Foods Unavailable

This is a good time to clean out the snack drawer. Fruit rollups and bubble gum don’t miss well with braces. Consult with your dentist about smart, readily available snack ideas that won’t sabotage your child’s oral health.

Gift a Fancy Toothbrush

Invest in an electric or battery-operated toothbrush and wrap it up as a gift for your child. They’ll love getting an unexpected present and enjoy using this fun alternative to standard toothbrushes. It will likely make them want to brush their teeth more often, so they can use the device.

Invest in Some Fun Books About Braces

Give your child a few books about kids who wear braces. These fun and educational books let your child know they aren’t the only one wearing braces and gently remind them about the importance of oral hygiene.

Use Positive Reinforcement

If your child is younger, they might respond well to positive reinforcement, such as a calendar where they get a sticker for every day they brush after each meal, or a point accumulation system, where they can exchange earned points for a reward, such as a day out to a fun park, or something else.

If you have questions about early orthodontic treatment in Omaha, NE, or you’d like to book an appointment for your child to see an orthodontist, please get in touch with us today!

Preserving Your Child’s Smile Through Dental Sealants

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Usually around the age of six years old, dental sealants become an option for your child. Your pediatric dentist in Omaha, NE, will begin recommending sealants as soon as your child gets their first molars.

What Are Dental Sealants?

A dental sealant is a thin coating that your dentist applies to the top of the back molars. This coating seals the cracks and crevices in the tooth and helps prevent cavities for up to four years after application.

What Is the Material Used in Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are made from liquid resin, which is a type of plastic. This resin is enamel-colored, so it’s practically invisible, once applied to the tooth.

Will Dental Sealants Make a Big Difference to My Child’s Oral Health?

Yes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental sealants can prevent the formation of 80 percent of cavities during the first two years after application. Additionally, school children between the ages of 6 and 11 who had sealants developed three times fewer cavities than those who didn’t.

Do Dental Sealants Last Forever?

No. Dental sealants are helpful in preventing cavities for up to four years. Your child’s dentist may recommend the application of dental sealants around the ages of 6 and 12, after the growth of the first and second set of molars.

Is the Dental Sealant Process Painful?

Not at all. Dental sealants are completely painless. Usually, your child’s dentist lightly etches the tooth surface by using a special solution. They then paint the thin coating onto the tooth using an instrument that looks like a paint brush. Last, they use a special light to dry the sealant, causing it to harden. The whole process can be done in a single visit.

If your child is ready for dental sealants in Omaha, NE, or if you have questions regarding this common procedure, we invite you to call Pedodontics, PC, today.