Frequently asked questions regarding the development of the teeth and the jaws in young children from 6 years to 10 years
- Question1 - How do kids loose milk teeth?
- Answer - Kids lose teeth as a part of a predetermined genetic timing. Between 5-6yrs the lower and front teeth generally start moving .The process is a gradual and dual one, with the upward eruption of the permanent incisors along with resorption of roots of milk (primary) teeth. This is also accompanied by appropriate widening of the jaws at 8 years to accommodate the wider upper and lower permanent incisors
- Question2 - Why do kids first have milk teeth and after 6-7 years they get this new set of teeth.
- Answer2 - This is part of the dental development.
At birth the jaws are really tiny. This allows the birth process to happen.
The growth of the jaws is a function of the changing food pattern and the development of the muscles and the bones of the face. The teeth are of a fixed size, only the root shows some growth after the teeth erupt. As the jaws grow from infancy to toddler to a school child of 6-7 years, the baby teeth are now relatively small in size for the jaw size and inefficient for the changing food pattern which is now predominantly tough food from the earlier semi solid. Hence therefore we go to the next question about this.
- Question3 - Aren’t the new teeth quite big for the child’s face? Can we file them a bit so that they look proper for the face?
- Answer3 - Nature has made the second set of teeth available (Permanent teeth) which are more robust and bigger in size .These match the size of an adult jaw. The size of the teeth does not change but the face keeps on growing and becomes bigger in size. Therefore at 7-9 years the teeth which erupt and replace the baby incisors do look a tad bit bigger for the face. But remember, these are according to the face of the child when he/she becomes an adult. Please do not file these teeth as it will result in severe sensitivity to foods for the child.
- Question4 - What are the signs to show that my child would need braces? When do I come for the first check up for braces treatment?
- Answer4 - The child should be brought for the first Orthodontic check up at the age of 8 ersatz this age, the upper and lower permanent incisors have erupted and are in their final stages of eruption. The permanent first molars are erupted into the arch. There will be a slight increase in the arch width at 9 years for doing any lateral arch expansion procedures.
The habits such as thumb sucking, sleeping with moth open and wrong swallowing positions of the tongue can be corrected with simple methods and appliances.
Cross bites cause alteration of the teeth positions and can cause recession of the gums. This can be corrected at this age.
In some cases, there is a severe deficiency or excess jaw growth. Use of growth guiding appliances can help in reducing these jaw discrepancies before they cause any further problems.
- Question5 - How do the braces work?
- Answer5 - Braces work by application of controlled physical force on the teeth. This causes the teeth to move in their sockets. This pressure on the sockets leads to changes in the position of the teeth due to alteration of the bony sockets. The movement of the teeth is best seen when the forces are gentle and continuous .This is often best achieved with the use of fixed braces which have an extremely thin wires running through them. The deflections in these wires give the required force for the teeth to move continuously.
In some cases we have braces which utilize the natural muscle forces of the jaws by applying the force on the supporting jaw bones and carrying out the jaw corrections.
The key factor is light forces which are continuous in nature cause the maximum movement.
- Question6 - Is there a variety of braces to choose from?
- Answer6 - The braces are either removable (The child can remove the appliance during eating and brushing) or Fixed braces (The braces are glued to the teeth and /or Jaws)
The fixed braces are commonly made of Stainless steel with the wires of light alloys such as Titanium and molebdenium.We can put some colors on these braces to make it interesting.
For some, the metallic appearance reminds them of Train tracks or Steel Grin. Now we also have braces in tooth coloured materials such as Ceramic/Composites which match the tooth color and are practically invisible.
Some people who don’t want braces to be seen at all for e.G. stars and advt. models, we also have braces which can be glued on the inside of the teeth and do the same work. (Lingual Braces)
- Question7 - what all restrictions come on a child who has to use braces?
- Answer7 - The Braces is appliances which move the teeth. These braces (Fixed appliances) are glued to the teeth. If the appliances are excessively loaded to move the teeth, this excess pressure could be harmful for the underlying roots and the supporting gum structure. Once the teeth are aligned properly, the specialized glues are to be removed without damaging the enamel. Therefore the glue is designed to be slightly weaker than the composite resins used to repair the broken teeth.
The wires are designed to apply light continuous forces which work for unto 3-6 weeks. We keep the pain levels minimum be keeping the wires as thin as possible. Braces on teeth means lots of areas for the food to remain stuck and cause problems of bad breath and tooth decay and decalcification.
For this reasons we advise the orthodontic patients to refrain from eating’s food stuffs which are HARD, STICKY and SUGARY. It means forgoing a lot of JUNK foods which is in fact good for your health. We have a section of suggested food items on our site to help you have healthy eating options while undergoing Orthodontic treatment.
- Question8 - Do braces hurt? How bad is the pain?
- Answer8 - The braces when inserted do not cause any pain. However in the next few hours, as the pressure is felt by the gums, you can feel a slight amount of tenderness while biting on those teeth and the jaws could be a bit sore. The best way to tackle this soreness is by having a lukewarm salt water rinse, which will relax your gum tissues. In case the pain still persists, you can have a simple analgesic such as Crocin or Brufen, 1 tab up to 3 times a day for the pain to be brearable.Please understand that NO PAIN–NO GAIN also is true in Orthodontic treatment.
- Question9 - How do we brush our teeth with braces on? Any special mouth rinses?
- Answer9 - Braces are delicate appliances which require extra care and maintainance.The brushing has to be done to remove any food deposits around the wires and brackets. This will also help in preventing any decay and decalcification around the braces and bad breadth which can be an embarrassment within your friend circle and family.
Special interdental brushes are to be used after routine brushing. These are soft and flexible for reaching in the nook and crannies between the wires and teeth.
Fluoride mouth rinses are a must to counter the chances of decalcification around the braces due to occasional food lodgement.These mouth rinses ensure that the teeth retain their shine and color even after the Orthodontic treatment is done.
- Question10 - How can I get my braces treatment finished faster?
- Answer10 - The orthodontic treatment is not just a mechanical treatment of moving the teeth. It also involves an adoption of the gums, alveolar bone and muscles to the new position of the teeth. This part of treatment is often not understood by the patients. We also have to wait for the jaw growth to complete before we remove the braces.
Braces treatment can be delayed if the brackets are broken repeatedly check up activation appointments are missed out or the elastic or Headgear components are not worn according to the instructions.We are more eager to give you a perfect smile ,so please take care of your braces.
- Question11 - Do space maintainers actually help? Are they a advisable option for the kids?
- Answer11 - Space maintainers are passive appliances(wires) which are used to maintain the space which was occupied by the previous baby tooth which was lost/removed much prior to it’s scheduled exfoliation.The space maintainers help in drifting of the adjacent teeth into the vacant space and maintain the arch form.
The most common space maintainers are for the missing Deciduous Second molars which are often decayed and badly infected leading to their removal prior to the erruption of the succeeding premolars.
With space maintainers,please note that active brushing and Fluoride mouthwash therapy is important to maintain the oral health to it’s optimum.
- Question12 - By which age do children loose their milk teeth? If there are any delays is there any reason to be concerned or require attention or what steps should the parents take?
- Answer12 - The children lose their first baby teeth at aprox 6-6 ½ years.These are the lower central incisors.Followed by the lower lateral incisors and the upper central incisors by 8 years.
We have observed that the children who were early teethers,show exfoliation to at an early age of 5-6 years.If the cental incisors are not shed by 9 years please take your child for a dental examination and probably the Dental Surgeon could ask for a OPG X-ray to study the positions of the teeth.
In rare cases of metabolic disorders such as Hypothyroidism, Vitamin B deficiencies and Rickets (Calcium deficiencies) do we see a lack of eruption of permanent teeth.