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  • Age Six to Seven

    Between the ages of six and seven, your child may lose his first tooth. The lower central incisors are usually the first teeth that are lost, followed by the upper central incisors. At this point, eating is slightly affected, although your child may prefer to do most of his chewing on the back teeth. Biting into hard…

  • How Baby Teeth Become Loose

    Baby teeth are not only used for eating, but they also hold the space necessary for the permanent (adult) teeth to erupt into the mouth. When the adult teeth begin to make their way in the direction of the mouth, they dissolve the root of the baby tooth that is essentially in its way. This…

  • When Do Children`s Baby Teeth Fall Out?

    Every child begins to lose their baby teeth and get their adult teeth around the same time; however, there are occasional instances where the process is sped up or delayed.

  • Palate Expander Alternatives

    Palate expanders work best in kids before the palate bone is fused.1 However, if an orthodontist determines a palate expander isn’t the best choice for you, you have other options. Options for expanding a narrow mouth include: Tooth extraction (pulling teeth) Jaw surgery Braces  What You Need to Know About Braces and Orthodontics

  • Potential Side Effects

    Side effects of palate expanders are usually temporary and short-lived. However, they can also be more serious. Risks include:6 Discomfort during treatment Speech changes Traumatic separation of the midpalatal suture (the central fusion of the hard palate) Lack of cooperation  Bite opening (a gap between top and bottom teeth when the mouth is closed) Relapse (palate shifts…

  • Care

    Like all dental appliances, palate expanders can take a little time to get used to. However, the adjustment period usually is only a few days. With the device in place, you will need to take special care while eating, adjusting the device, and brushing your teeth. Eating As you get used to your new device,…

  • Palate Expander Types

    There are several different types of palate expanders, including some that are removable. However, they are often secured in the mouth until the treatment is complete. Removable A removable palate expander is a device that you can take out, like a retainer. However, even though you can take the device out, it is still meant to…

  • Palate Expander Uses

    Orthodontists sometimes use palate expanders to widen the roof of the mouth to create more space for shifting teeth. They are recommended for people with crossbites (malocclusion, when the top and bottom teeth do not come together properly) and dental crowding (teeth that are competing for space grow in improperly). The device works best in kids because the bones…

  • Palate Expanders

     palate expander is a device that creates more mouth space by widening the palate (the roof of the mouth).  It is an orthodontic treatment sometimes used before placing dental braces.  This article explains palate expander uses, types, side effects, and care. It also covers how to care for the device.

  • How to Stop the Thumb Sucking Habit

    Most parents are anxious to help their children stop sucking their thumbs in order to prevent future dental problems. This is understandable, but it is important to remember that pushing too hard may cause your child to cling to thumb sucking more. Most children will stop thumb sucking on their own without adult intervention.  To…

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