All 3 of my children have been patients of Dr Kemper as they’ve grown up. My youngest daughter is now a teen and needs braces. She was given the option to go to another practice, specifically for orthodontics, but choose to remain with Dr Kemper. I find it very convenient to be able to have my child stay with the same practice she’s been going to since her first dental exam. Staff are all very friendly and know just what to do to put a child’s mind at ease no matter what the reason for a visit is. My children love going to see Dr Kemper.
The job of an orthodontist is all about making sure tweens and teens enjoy a beautiful smile and healthy teeth that carry them into adulthood with confidence.
Teeth that are crooked or not in the right place can have a negative impact on your child’s self-image and confidence.
Over time, they become difficult to keep clean, are at risk of early tooth decay, periodontal disease, and stress.
Dr. Kemper, a pediatric dentist in Louisville, KY is here to provide your kids with a healthy mouth, a beautiful facial structure, and teeth that will last them a lifetime.
What Is the Goal of Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that corrects teeth and jaws that are positioned improperly.
Crooked teeth and jaw that do not fit together correctly cause several problems for growing kids:
- Crooked teeth are harder to keep clean because they are often on top of one another.
- When you have crooked teeth or a protruding jaw, your teeth are at risk of being lost early due to tooth decay and periodontal disease
- Bent teeth or crooked jaws cause extra stress on the chewing muscles that can lead to headaches and TMJ syndrome as well as neck, shoulder and back pain
Signs That Your Child Needs Braces
The best way to know if getting braces is the best course of action is to ask your dentist. They will examine your child’s mouth, assess what problems need to be addressed, and determine if braces will be able to properly fix it or if other orthodontic care is necessary.
Braces can fix several issues including the following:
- Overbite: This is where the upper front teeth are too far forward, sticking over the lower teeth, commonly called “buck teeth.”
- Underbite: Sometimes the lower teeth are too far forward, and the upper teeth are too far back, resulting in somewhat of a “bulldog” appearance.
- Crossbite: You may notice the upper teeth do not come down properly as they should when biting, this is a crossbite.
- Open bite: If you have a space between your biting surfaces, this is an open bite. It could be in the front, side, or back.
- Misplaced Midline: When your upper front teeth don’t line up with your lower teeth, you have a misplaced midline.
- Spacing: If you have missing teeth, or your teeth don’t fill in your mouth, this causes spacing issues.
- Crowding: Sometimes there are too many teeth and too little space, resulting in crowding.
How Do Braces Work?
Braces are the most common method of orthodontic treatment.
Braces work by putting subtle, but steady pressure on the mouth. This pressure is created by a series of brackets and wires placed by an orthodontist.
Over time, this pressure on the front, back, or sides of the teeth can move them into their proper position.
While braces are effective for anyone, of any age, they are most effective when a child is younger and can give them a smile they will enjoy for life.
Benefits of Braces
There are several benefits your child will gain from orthodontic care.
Straight, beautiful teeth are just the tip of the iceberg.
- Improved ability to chew food: If your teeth and jaw are not properly straight and aligned, chewing food efficiently can be a problem. You end up swallowing larger bites than you should, leaving the stomach a big job of both breaking down and digesting it. Proper alignment of the teeth contributes to adequate chewing of your food, making digestion easier.
- Alleviation of speech impairment: If your child has a hard time making different sounds, it could be due to their teeth. Having straightened teeth improves the way you sound words and speak fluently.
- Easier to brush, clean and floss teeth: When the teeth are straight, it’s easier to brush, clean, and floss properly to adequately clean your teeth.
- Reduced cavities and periodontal disease: Braces can help space out your teeth enough, so they get the proper cleaning and care they need, reducing the frequency of cavities and disease.
- Reduced grinding and chipping of teeth: When the teeth are crooked, it’s easy for kids to grind or chip them without even trying. This leads to bigger orthodontic issues that can be prevented completely with the use of braces.
- Reduced risk of injury from protruding teeth: Braces can be particularly helpful for protruding upper teeth that are vulnerable during accidents.
- Improved Self-esteem and confidence: While no kid is necessarily excited to get braces, they play a key role in the confidence of our young people by creating a great smile.
An estimated 4.5 million Americans — most of them children and teenagers — wear braces,
according to the American Association of Orthodontics.
FAQs About Braces
How long do you wear braces?
Typically, treatment time is 12-30 months. This depends on the type of braces and the severity of the issues.
How often do you come in for appointments when you have braces?
An orthodontic patient in Louisville, KY will need to be seen about every 4-8 weeks so that they can check on your progress, adjust the braces and check for any problems or issues that need to be taken care of. The appointments are usually quick and painless.
Do braces hurt?
When your child first gets braces put on, they may feel a little sensitive, because the teeth have something on them they’ve never had before. This is totally normal. After the first couple of days, they should never feel real pain while wearing braces.
Can I play sports while wearing braces?
Yes! We like our patients to wear a mouth guard and an orthodontist can help you get the best one that is both comfortable and protective.
Can I play musical instruments while wearing braces?
Of course! It may take a little adjustment, but you can still play wind or brass instruments with braces. We want to make sure our patients can live a normal, happy, and full life doing all the things they love most even while wearing braces.
What foods should I avoid while wearing braces?
We want all of our patients to keep eating all healthy fruits and vegetables to maintain a balanced diet. In general, patients with braces must be careful to avoid hard, sticky, chewy, and crunchy foods like popcorn, corn on the cob, whole apples, caramel, and sticky candy. Too many sugary foods with braces can lead to plaque build-up around your brackets, which can permanently stain or damage your teeth.
Why Choose William Kemper DMD For Your Child’s Orthodontic Care in Louisville
- Unmatched Service: After being in the industry for over 36 years in Louisville, KY, Dr. Kemper knows a thing or two about putting braces on kids’ teeth. He has a unique and friendly approach that helps to calm down even the most timid child.
- In-Office Sedation: Dr. Kemper is one of the only pediatric dentists in Louisville, KY that offers in-office sedation as a treatment option. While this isn’t usually necessary for braces, it can be used anytime.
- Emergency Dental Care: We are available 24 hours a day to help you and your child through any dental trauma or emergency. Every call that comes in is personally screened by Dr. Kemper to give you an individual treatment plan any time day or night.
- All-in-One Dentist: We do everything in-house at our Louisville location, including restorative treatments and oral surgery. This eliminates the need to go to several offices to get the dental care your child needs.
More Than Just a Pretty Face
Having straight teeth is about more than just having a pretty face. It’s about improving your child’s overall oral health and giving them the confidence to enter adulthood with a healthy smile. That is the goal of an orthodontist.
Dr. Kemper in Louisville, KY can provide the oral healthcare your kids need with the support and friendship you’re looking for. We are with you every step of the way to help you and your teeth grow with pride.