Orthodontics and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Orthodontic treatment doesn't just make people’s smiles beautiful; they also help provide relief from serious health conditions. At Ross Orthodontics, we are experienced providers of orthodontic treatment to people whose teeth have shifted as a result of diseases such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

When joint tissue comes under attack by the body’s own immune system, it swells and hardens, putting pressure on the joint. Sometimes, this is enough to cause joint deformities. The temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the head, is particularly complex and prone to damage. In children with arthritis, deformation of the temporomandibular joint can result in teeth grinding jaw deformities, leading to malocclusions such as an open bite.

An idiopathic disease is one without a known cause, and every case of juvenile arthritis is different. However, we can work with rheumatologists to devise treatment plans that will fix a child’s teeth with minimal discomfort. Children with arthritis are at greater risk for dental decay due to difficulty cleaning their teeth, but straightened teeth are much easier to care for. Caregivers should also keep in mind that oral liquid medications are commonly high in sugar and it’s a good idea to brush after consuming them, especially while wearing orthodontic brackets.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

When Should a Child Start Orthodontics?

Ross Orthodontics provides treatment to patients of all ages, but parents may well wonder what age treatment should start at. To answer that question, it’s necessary to understand at what age different orthodontic treatments are most effective.

Orthodontists recommend that children first be assessed after some of their permanent teeth have come in when they’re about seven years old. This will give us a chance to catch severe problems that are already affecting the child’s oral health and quality of life, such as an underbite or narrow arch, but it’s unusual otherwise for treatment to begin at that age. If the child loses a baby tooth prematurely due to trauma, it may be necessary for them to wear a space maintainer until the permanent tooth can erupt. Major orthodontic work, including extractions and braces, is usually done between the ages of ten and fourteen, after most permanent teeth have erupted. Adults can certainly benefit from orthodontic work, especially for cosmetic problems such as gaps and slight crookedness. But young teenagers still have some flexibility in their skull bones which allows them to undergo treatment for serious structural problems such as impacted canines, while still being mature enough to maintain their hygiene.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit SmilesbyRoss.com. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

Consequences of Thumb Sucking

At Ross Orthodontics, we often see children whose parents and primary dentist are concerned about how their teeth are coming in. One of the most frequent problems is an open bite, in which the incisors are pushed outward. This problem can be genetic but is usually caused by thumb sucking.

Many parents may be alarmed to hear this since thumb sucking is such a common behavior. Before the age of five, there is not much to worry about. Very young children’s facial bones have not completely solidified and can bounce back from suction. But once the permanent teeth start coming in, thumb sucking (or sucking on anything else) can permanently push the teeth forward.

Efforts to break the habit work best when the child feels included in solving the problem. However, thumb sucking is sometimes done as a way of relieving chronic stress. In these cases, even if the child does abandon thumb sucking, they may take to thrusting their tongue against their incisors instead, which has the same result. It may be necessary to consult with a child psychologist about fixing this problem. In the meantime, there are orthodontic devices which can discourage pushing the tongue forward.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit SmilesbyRoss.com. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.