Local Orthodontic Palatine, IL Dental Care for 6 Month Smiles

Orthodontic Braces: Preventing Playground Teasing

Sticks and Stones and The Halo Effect

Beauty is good. Beauty is character. Beauty is competence. That's the "halo effect." And the halo effect is alive and well and living on playgrounds everywhere.

What's the effect of the halo effect?

Not so good, if you're one of the unfortunates without a halo. Especially if you're a child called Beaver or Dopey or Goofy.

Not so long ago, a study of British schoolchildren revealed that the appearance of teeth was the fourth most common target for teasing. Children suffered under nicknames like Bugs Bunny, Fang and Dracula. Furthermore, children who were teased were twice as likely to be harassed, subject to verbal or physical intimidation, lying or other abuses, than children who were not teased.

Although height, weight and hair were also factors in teasing, ridicule about their teeth caused children the greatest amount of unhappiness.

Researchers were concerned that exposure to the sustained taunts and insults of peers would predispose some children to a lowered self-confidence and self-image.

The Solution? Orthodontics — The Sooner The Better

Thousands of children need early care — some as young as three years old. Early diagnosis and monitoring allows us to take full advantage of a time when your child's bone and facial structure are easier to shape.

If you think the odds of a young child having orthodontic problems are remote, consider these facts: Two out of three people have orthodontic problems, which should be treated. A fourth of the problems are severe, says the American Association of Orthodontists. Orthodontic defects aren't limited to protruding teeth or underbites.

Often the problems relate to the overall structure of the mouth and face. Frequently they don't show up in a smile at all.

That's why an orthodontic checkup and braces, if necessary, should be a part of every child's health care program.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Orthodontic Dentistry - Now Adult Braces Are Available!

One of the genuine rewards of the new orthodontics dentistry is the adult patient who is willing to wear braces, do the "home" work, and who is excited by the prospect of having straighter teeth and a more perfect bite. As they say in baseball, it's a whole new ball game.

Thanks to the new orthodontic dentistry materials available today, we can offer visible or invisible braces -- adult braces made with space-age metals, braces glued to the back of the teeth. But that's just the "office" part.

Some orthodontic dentists would even argue that the most critical aspect of orthodontic dentistry treatment is how patients do their "home" work. Braces need constant cleaning. There's a rigid retainer schedule to follow. Certain foods must be avoided. It's a challenge. But once committed, adult patients understand what needs to be done and are willing to do it to get what they want from adult braces. They've made the investment in time and money. So they're willing to make the sacrifices (no caramels!) to get the results.

If Mother Nature let you down and your mom couldn't afford orthodontia, call us. It's never too late to get the perfect smile with adult braces and orthodontic dentistry!

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.