Your teenager may have reached the age where their adult teeth have erupted and they need braces. They may have an overcrowded mouth, protruding teeth, or a poor bite but they are rebelling at the idea of braces and need answers before their next dental appointment. The Straight Teeth Suite have compiled a useful list of questions and answers to help you and your children but don’t hesitate to ask any questions we may have omitted.
How to help your Child Overcome an Overbite in Leicester
If your child has lost his or her baby teeth and the adult, permanent teeth have erupted, but your child has an overbite you will be concerned. Not only do the top row of teeth protrude beyond the bottom row of teeth but your child may have developed jaw pain, speech problems and problems eating. They may also be teased by their peers, damaging their self-esteem at a fragile age. The Straight Teeth Suite in Leicester can correct all the problems associated with an overbite by fitting braces and caring for their teeth.
Overbites, where the top teeth vertically overlap the bottom teeth, are very common, and we see many children with this kind of misalignment. An overbite may be the result of genetics or thumb sucking when the adult teeth are developing. It is best resolved early because the growing jaw can be easier to manipulate than one that has already fully formed. When an overbite is diagnosed early, treatment is often less invasive and very effective. Early treatment is when the child still has a mix of their milk teeth and adult teeth.
Most cases of overbite are not necessarily problematic but need to be corrected for aesthetic reasons. All teenagers want a great smile. But when an overbite is extreme, it is a cause for concern. A poor bite can lead to jaw pain, wear and tear on the enamel of the teeth, making your child more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease.
Braces will need to be worn to correct an overbite. They have evolved over the past decade and are now easier to wear and look after. Some braces are fixed, some are removable, and some are invisible, and they are no longer the traumatic ordeal of the past. Your dentist will diagnose the severity of the overbite and recommend the correct braces and treatment to bring your child’s teeth into their correct position ensuring not only their dental health but restoring their self-confidence. By resolving an overbite in your child’s young days, you will help prevent serious problems in the future.
If you would like to discuss your child’s overbite with a dentist contact the Sleep Teeth Suite in Leicester HERE
No NHS Braces for your Child: What to do if you can’t get braces in Leicester
We are very fortunate as a nation to have the NHS but, as with all medical treatments and procedures, at any age, we may be put on a waiting list or denied treatment if it is considered purely cosmetic. Braces are in high demand as more and more people want straight teeth and a beautiful smile. Unfortunately, some teenagers are missing out. Although the law states, “Orthodontic treatment is available on the NHS (for free) for under 18-year-olds, who need it,” and the law is seemingly unambiguous, some teenagers are still denied braces. If your teenager has been refused orthodontic treatment on the NHS and you are at a loss to know what to do, the Straight Teeth Suite in Leicester can step in to give your child the braces they need, and ease the pressure on your finances.
The let out clause in the law, “who need it,” allows NHS Orthodontists to select patients eligible for free treatment by using the IOTN Assessment to determine whether or not your child will receive free braces. The assessment is comprised of a health component and an aesthetic component and is marked on a scale of 1 to 5; 1 being closest to dental perfection and 5 being severe dental issues, such as protruding teeth, overcrowding or missing teeth. Naturally, those young patients with a high score are going to be first in line when treatment has to be rationed on dental health grounds. The NHS does not have unlimited resources. This may seem unfair, especially if the young patient just misses out with a borderline score.
If your child has been denied NHS orthodontic treatment or has been put on an unreasonably long waiting list and you consider this unfair, you should speak to your family dentist and arrange for a second opinion.
Alternatively, you could seek private treatment. Even if your child’s need is purely cosmetic, it is no less valid. Straight, well-functioning teeth do wonders for their confidence. We have a selection of options to straighten your child’s teeth from fixed braces to clear, removable braces. If the problem with the teeth is relatively simple to resolve, the treatment will not take too long and may well cost a lot less than you first imagined.
We are well aware many parent’s budgets are stretched to their limits when bringing up children and private dental treatment may seem out of the question. We have put together a financial plan to ease the burden so you and your children can receive treatment when you want it, without delay.
No child should be denied a beautiful and confident smile. Contact the Straight Teeth Suite in Leicester for a consultation today.