4 Ways to Help Your Child As They Complete Braces Treatment

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It’s common for children to have crooked and misaligned teeth. To correct the problem, your child may need braces from the orthodontist in Columbia, SC. At Tompkins Orthodontics, we help kids and their parents get through braces treatment.

We love to provide advice and answer questions to help patients take care of their teeth and braces. If you’re a parent who would like to support your child’s braces treatment, here are some things you can do.

1. Serve Braces-Friendly Foods at Meal Time

Hard, crusty foods can be hard on your child’s braces. One way that you can help your child avoid breaking their braces is by serving braces-friendly foods. Avoid serving foods like crusty breads, hard candies, nuts, and raw vegetables. Serving your child soft foods like pasta, oatmeal, yogurt, and cooked vegetables, you can help your child get the nutrition they need.

2. Serve Low-Sugar Snacks

Sugar is bad for your child’s teeth. When sugary foods get caught in your child’s braces, this can cause cavities and tooth decay. Serving your child low-sugar snacks like boiled eggs can help your child maintain healthy teeth.

3. Encourage Your Child to Brush Their Teeth

As long as they’re wearing braces, your child should brush their teeth after every meal. Remind your child to brush their teeth after meals, and provide your child with the supplies (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc) to make that possible. Buy your child an extra toothbrush to bring with them to school and after-school activities.

4. Take Your Child for Braces Adjustments

Your child will need regular braces adjustments to help gently move their teeth into place. Make and keep your child’s appointments with the orthodontist. This will help ensure that your child’s teeth continue to make progress, and will prevent your child’s orthodontic treatment from taking longer than necessary.

Contact Us for Braces Treatment in Columbia, SC

Does your child need braces treatment in Columbia, SC? If so, contact the orthodontic professionals at Tompkins Orthodontics. We can help straighten your child’s teeth. We’re also happy to answer your questions. Call today.

Palatal Expansion for Sleep Apnea in Children and Teens

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Does your child snore like a grown-up? Do they wake up cranky, have trouble focusing, or breathe through their mouth all night? These might be more than just “growing pains.” They could be signs of sleep apnea.

And guess what?

There’s a simple orthodontic treatment that could help. It’s called palatal expansion.

What Is Palatal Expansion?

Palatal expansion sounds technical, but it’s pretty straightforward. It’s a way to gently widen the upper jaw using a small device placed on the roof of your child’s mouth. The goal? Create more space in the mouth and nose so your child can breathe easier (especially when sleeping).

The best part? This works best while your kids are still growing. So, catching it early makes a big difference.

How Palatal Expansion Helps with Sleep Apnea

When the upper jaw is too narrow, it crowds everything else. The teeth, tongue, and even the airway. That’s like trying to breathe through a pinched straw while you sleep. NOT FUN!

Palatal expansion gives the airway more room to stretch out (so to speak). This helps the air flow more freely. It can also reduce or even eliminate sleep apnea in Columbia, SC, for your child.

Plus, better breathing means better sleep, more energy, and improved focus during the day. Think of it as upgrading your child’s internal air conditioning system.

Signs Your Child Might Benefit from Palatal Expansion

So, how do you know if this is something to ask about?

These are the signs you will need to look for.

  • Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep.
  • Mouth breathing (especially at night).
  • Bedwetting past the usual age (between 3 and 5).
  • Trouble paying attention in school.
  • Crowded teeth or a narrow smile.

If you’re seeing a few of these signs, talk to your dentist immediately! Your dentist will know how to spot airway issues early on.

It’s Time to Help Your Child Sleep Better

Don’t wait for things to get worse! A quick consultation with your dentist in Columbia, SC, could be the first step toward better sleep and better health for your child.

Are You Looking for a Reputable Dentist in Columbia, SC?

Please Contact Tompkins Orthodontics today. We’re here to help your child breathe easier, sleep sounder, and smile brighter!

When Should My Child Be Evaluated For Braces?

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If your child has crooked or misaligned teeth, braces can help solve the problem. Your child’s orthodontist in Columbia, SC, can help. At Tompkins Orthodontics, we offer orthodontic treatment to help our patients realign their teeth and jaw. Braces are a tried-and-true product that has been helping patients improve their smile for decades.

It’s important to get your child evaluated for braces as soon as they’re old enough. Knowing when your child is old enough is crucial for getting your child to the orthodontist at the appropriate time.

When to Evaluate For Braces

Kids can be evaluated for braces as early as 7 years old. Some kids get orthodontic treatment before they’ve lost all their baby teeth.

Is Earlier Better?

Earlier is better when you’re getting your child orthodontic treatment. Waiting a long time to get your child evaluated for braces can cause the problem to get worse, so your child will have a longer treatment time. Getting your child to the orthodontist early can save money and time.

Who Needs to Be Evaluated?

The majority of children can benefit from orthodontic treatment. It’s estimated that 50 to 70 percent of children in the U.S. will wear braces at some point. Taking your child for an orthodontic evaluation can help you determine whether your child will be one of the millions who will wear braces before they’re an adult.

Signs Your Child Needs Evaluation

Knowing the signs that your child needs braces can help you decide when it’s time to get to the orthodontist.

  • The dentist recommends it. Many parents wait until their child’s dentist recommends an orthodontic evaluation. If you think that your child needs an orthodontic evaluation and the dentist hasn’t said anything, ask them.
  • Your child’s teeth are visibly crooked or crowded. You’ll be able to see if your child’s teeth are crooked, misaligned, or crowding in on themselves.
  • Your child often bites the inside of their mouth. If your child regularly bites the inside of their mouth – unintentionally – this could be a sign that their bite is misaligned.

Does your child need a braces evaluation in Columbia, SC? Call today to make an appointment!