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Losing teeth is a normal part in the process of growing up for your little one. But some kids end up missing one or more tooth before time due to cavities, tooth decay, hereditary conditions, gum diseases or dental injuries. According to the American Dental Association, most children get their first full set of teeth by the age of three years. If a child loses a tooth prematurely, space maintainers are used to holding the space open for the permanent teeth. Many dentists may recommend space maintainers to support the child’s mouth until the gaps are filled with permanent teeth. Here are some benefits which may help you decide if your child needs a space maintainer.
What Are the Benefits of a Space Maintainer?
- Protects Your Child’s Oral Health: Baby teeth are vital for your child’s developing smile. Although they fall out eventually, you need to make sure that they fall naturally without the requirement of any teeth extraction process. Primary teeth serve as placeholders for permanent teeth. If any tooth comes too early, the baby teeth can shift or the permanent would erupt in an inappropriate angle. These orthodontic issues can risk your child’s oral health issues. The oral issues like gum diseases and decay may require extensive treatment later in life. Having a space maintainer could save you and your child from discomfort and expenditure in the long-term.
- Offers Flexibility: If your child has a missing tooth, you may choose from a variety of space maintainers available with the dentist. You may choose space maintainers according to your preferences, budget, and needs.
- Easy to Clean and Take Care Of: Space maintainers are easy to take care of as they get cleaned easily by merely brushing and flossing twice a day. Removable space maintainers have to be worn at least 14 hours a day for an effective result. These space maintainers can be rinsed gently and cleaned regularly to prevent debris from getting trapped in it. Your child needs to avoid chewy, sticky, and hard foods that can damage this dental appliance.
What Are the Types of Space Maintainer?
The purpose of a space maintainer is to help your child develop the best bite possible. Space maintainers can be fixed or removable.
- Fixed Appliances: A fixed space maintainer is cemented onto adjacent teeth. Fixed space maintainers are available in many designs. One consists of a band to hold the space whereas another features a loop attached to a stainless steel crown. Fixed appliances are often preferred for young children as they are hard to fidget, break or misplace in comparison to removable appliances.
- Removable Appliances: Removable space maintainers can have a false tooth, which is particularly useful when there is a gap due to a missing tooth. These appliances are usually preferred for older children who can usually handle the responsibility of wearing and maintaining for the appliance.
- Does a Space Maintainer Hurt?: Space maintainers can take time for your child to get comfortable. Once the space maintainer is placed in your child’s mouth, the dentist will guide you with the proper ways to clean it. The dentist will also inform you about the foods that your child is allowed to eat.
If you think that your child needs a space maintainer, you should visit your nearby dental clinic in Edmonton. You may need to visit the clinic at regular intervals for the dentist to monitor the functionality of the space maintainer. The dentist will track the eruption of the permanent teeth and ensure that your child possesses a beautiful smile!