Orthodontics for Toddlers/Children

If you’re like most parents, when you hear the word “orthodontics,” you instantly think of braces and teeth-straightening for kids.

If you have young children, you might check into braces later when their permanent teeth come in.

However, you may not know that orthodontics also addresses jaw issues—serious issues which frequently develop in young children with life-long negative effects.

That’s why we urge parents to learn more about early orthodontics from Breath of Life Dental. We work with kids as young as three years old with truly life-changing results.

Your child could be experiencing orthodontic issues right now which, undetected or misdiagnosed, could have far-reaching effects through adulthood.

We’ll explain how it all works and the warning signs you should look for.

Just as importantly, we’ll tell you of a medical breakthrough which can remedy these issues for your child’s health and happiness.

How the Jaw Develops

Hundreds of years ago, a child’s jaw and upper and lower arches (the semi-circular bones which hold their teeth) developed optimally. Specifically, the jaw grew into the proper position and the arches were wide and roomy, as nature intended. This roominess provided a wide airway for nasal breathing and plenty of space for the tongue to rest in its proper position.

This has changed through the years, however. Today’s children tend to have underdeveloped jaws and arches which cause the teeth to crowd and the tongue to be pushed back into the airway. Their upper and lower jaws are also pushed back thereby further obstructing the airway. There are a few theories as to why children today have underdeveloped jaws including allergies and dietary changes.

To make matters worse, many orthodontists favor pulling a child’s teeth to accommodate braces while others thought headgear was the solution. What could be wrong with those solutions? We’ll explain.

Extractions and Headgear: How They Harm Your Child

Extractions done to make room to prepare for braces creates its own set of problems. The extractions cause the jaw to shrink; that means less room for the tongue to be in its proper position. As a result, the tongue is pushed back and blocks the airway which causes mouth-breathing, sleep disorders and other maladies. Plus, with those teeth now gone, excessive wear and tear is put on the remaining teeth for chewing which can create further dental problems.

Looking for a better solution, orthodontists turned to headgear for patients. The original theory was overbite or “buck teeth” were caused by an overgrown upper jaw. Headgear was devised to pull the upper teeth back. Despite evidence to the contrary, this principle was incorporated into modern orthodontics. The facts are headgear stunts the growth of both the upper and lower jaws and causes them to grow downward. The jaw grows back into the airway, obstructing airflow and causing malformation of the body with its attendant health issues.

Here’s an analogy for you: Let’s say your child wanted a pair of shoes which were too tight—there’s no room for the toes. You probably wouldn’t clip off a toe or two to make the shoes fit; nor would you bind the toes to make them smaller—you’d ask for a bigger size for more toe room. The same holds true for your child’s teeth—the solution is to make enough room for the tongue and teeth to healthily coexist.

For more details on the damaging effects of headgear, watch this video from the Right to Grow organization.

Signs Your Child May Need Early Orthodontic Treatment

Because teeth are embedded in the jaw, jaw irregularities can create a wide variety of problems for a child’s teeth and bite. Additionally, a child’s oral habits can create orthodontic problems at a very early age.

Take a look at the following list of indicators that your child might need early orthodontics:

Crowded teeth / Crooked Teeth

Overcrowded or misaligned teeth are almost always a sign of an undeveloped jaw. There is simply not enough room for the teeth to grow properly.
Bite misalignment

A misaligned bite—overbite (“bucked teeth”), crossbite, underbite, overbite open bite, deep bite—are all indicators of jaw misalignment.
Flared front teeth

Thumb-sucking, sleeping with a bottle, prolonged pacifier use and other factors contribute to teeth spreading outward.
Mouth-breathing/Breathing Struggles

Breathing through the mouth or other breathing disorders come from a blocked airway. The blockage could be nasal congestion or the jaw and tongue inappropriately jutting into the airway. When this happens during sleep, your child will likely snore and may even develop sleep apnea.

Other signs that early orthodontics are probably needed include teeth-grinding or clenching, toothaches, jaw pain, speech problems, swallowing difficulties and more. If any of these points apply to your child, don’t worry—we have the solution that could save him or her—and you—untold physical and mental difficulties in the future.

Why Worry About Baby Teeth

Since baby teeth are temporary, parents may not realize the critical role they play in the formation of permanent teeth. The fact is, baby teeth are space holders for the permanent teeth to emerge properly. And if your child’s baby teeth have spaces between them, don’t worry—that’s what nature intended so the larger permanent teeth have enough room to grow without crowding.

Extracting baby teeth that need dental work, instead of getting the work done, could cause your child’s remaining teeth to shift toward the new gap which can create complications.

A Ground-Breaking Solution in Early Orthodontics

Breath of Life Dental can resolve your child’s early orthodontic issues permanently with a Vivos oral appliance. The Vivos appliance is a breakthrough device based on years of clinical studies and medical research.

What’s unique about the Vivos devices is they work to correct and guide the growth of your child’s jaws, palate and arches so that they fully develop. The palate and arches gradually widen as the jaw eases into its proper position and the tongue has plenty of room to comfortably rest in the mouth, as it should.

The Vivos appliance is a natural remedy which circumvents the need for surgical and sometimes unsuccessful remedies such as jaw surgery and removing the tonsils or adenoids.

We’ve seen the results first-hand and they are truly remarkable!

Our Early Orthodontics Process

Here is how we work with you and your child:

1. Comprehensive Assessment

We start with a thorough assessment of your child’s jaw development and related areas. This includes a head and neck exam, photos, x-rays, as applicable, and an interview on your child’s sleep routines.
2. Vivos Appliance

We fully explain the Vivos device and how it will correct your child’s unique issues. When all systems are a go, the appropriate Vivos device is fabricated for your child. Depending on the child, the device will be worn for a certain amount of time each day and night.
3. Monitoring Progress

We ask that you bring your child in every two months so Dr. Seifi can monitor their progress and make any adjustments needed to the device.

Times vary from one child to the next, but the course of treatment with the Vivos device is usually one to two years.

Interacting with Your Child

We absolutely love kids; that’s why we treat them! Our passion is making them healthier and happier by providing the orthodontic care they need. We know how to talk to children of all ages, motivate them to wear the device and to watch their own progress.

Life-Changing Benefits of the Vivos Oral Appliance

The results obtainable from the Vivos oral appliance are nothing short of phenomenal:

Permanently expands the jaw and palate to remedy teeth-crowding, bite misalignment and jaw underdevelopment.
Relieves tooth, jaw or head pain due to bite misalignment.
Corrects a blocked airway thereby allowing your child to breathe easily through the nose, especially during sleep for sounder, healthier slumber.
All-natural and noninvasive; an alternative to jaw surgery and other procedures.
Improved appearance which boosts your child’s confidence and self-esteem with friends, family and in school.
Often eliminates the need for traditional braces.
Reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease (aligned teeth are easier to keep clean).
Limited course of treatment; no lifelong treatment required.

About Dr. Maryam Seifi

Breath of Life Dental was founded by Dr. Maryam Seifi, a highly accomplished, 30-year dentist and expert in orthodontics and sleep-disordered breathing issues. She has been granted the title of Vivos Integrated Provider for her advanced post-graduate training in this field. Dr. Seifi was also honored to be the national winner of The Doctors’ Choice Awards. She is a diplomate of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy and has achieved the status of Qualified Dentist from the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

Schedule a Consultation for Your Child with Dr. Seifi

Dr. Seifi started Breath of Life Dental to relieve children and adults of orthodontic issues and sleep-disordered breathing. Her mission is to provide the highest standard of care to her patients and work with them, as partners, in restoring them to optimal health.

Orthodontics for Children

BEARS Sleep Screening

The Vivos Biomimetic Oral Appliance