Orthodontic Awareness Month - Ponte Vedra Pediatric Dentistry

It is a new month which means that we have another new ‘holiday’ of sorts to celebrate. This month we are working to raise awareness about the importance of orthodontics by taking part in Orthodontic Awareness Month.

What is Orthodontic Awareness Month?

Many people think that we just make up these holidays, but they are actual “official” holidays that have been created by organizations all across the world. Orthodontic Awareness Month was created by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) in an effort to educate the community about the importance of seeking orthodontic treatment.

There are a number of ways dental offices and orthodontic offices can take part in this holiday. Some of the ways they do is:

Hosting community events that encourage people to come into the office and learn about the importance of undergoing orthodontic treatment
Hosting giveaways and contests
Posting blog posts that raise awareness about the importance of orthodontic treatment
Scheduling visits to school to talk to children about the importance of orthodontic treatment

Ponte Vedra Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is celebrating Orthodontic Awareness Month by providing some basic information about orthodontic treatment. Hopefully the information provided here will encourage you to schedule an appointment for your child with our orthodontist.

Orthodontic Treatment Options

There are a half dozen different orthodontic treatment options that may be available to your child. The orthodontic treatment options that may be available include:

Traditional braces
Clear braces
Invisible aligner trays

Sometimes children have their heart set on undergoing one type of orthodontic treatment, such as using invisible aligner trays, but that treatment might not be able to get them the best results. Working closely with an orthodontist, your child will receive personalized treatment recommendations that allow them to improve their smile.

It is Never Too Early to Schedule an Appointment with an Orthodontist

Parents don’t have to wait until their child is experiencing problems with their teeth or placement of their jaw to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist. In fact, it is recommended that parents schedule an appointment with an orthodontist around a child’s seventh birthday.

It may seem like your child is too young for an orthodontist appointment, but this is the perfect age to schedule their first appointment. During this appointment an orthodontist can assess whether your child’s teeth are growing in correctly. If the teeth are not growing in properly, early orthodontic treatment can be used to correct problems before they become too severe.

Early orthodontic treatment is individualized for each patient and can include the use of spacers, aligners, retainers, and expanders.

Assessing the need for early orthodontic treatment is just one of the reasons why an appointment around the age of seven is a good idea. Another reason is to establish a good relationship with an orthodontist. If children visit them at a young age, they will be comfortable with them as they get older and may be in need of orthodontic treatment.

Getting Braces Doesn’t Just Improve Your Smile, It Improves Your Health

A straighter, better looking smile is an obvious benefit of getting braces, but it isn’t the only benefit. Undergoing orthodontic treatment can actually improve your overall health.

When your teeth are crooked and misaligned or your jaw isn’t in proper alignment, it can put a lot of stress and tension on the muscles in your face, neck, and shoulder area. While occasional stress and tension placed on these muscles won’t cause any lasting problems, prolonged stress and tension can cause a number of problems ranging from chronic headaches, migraines, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, sinus problems, and neck pain.

Correcting the alignment and spacing of your teeth and the placement of your jaw can help you avoid experiencing any of these health problems. These health problems are avoided because the muscles in your mouth, face, and neck area aren’t put under so much stress and tension.

Celebrate Orthodontic Awareness Month by calling Ponte Vedra Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics to schedule an appointment for your child. We can’t wait to welcome you to our office. We look forward to seeing you.