Among children and adolescents, dental malocclusion has a prevalence between 39 per cent and 93 per cent. Along with caries and periodontal disease, malocclusion is one of the most pressing oral health problems, influencing masticatory function and causing suboptimal digestion and even malnutrition. It also affects mental health, making malocclusion a barrier towards a better quality of life.
One of the notable impacts malocclusions can have on a young person is their self-esteem; how they value and perceive their worth. Malocclusion can lead to anterior crowding and facial asymmetry, which can change the perception of overall facial aesthetics, a crucial aspect for young people to feel positive about. Similarly, orthodontic treatments to fix malocclusion may also influence how patients see themselves.
A time of change
Children and adolescents may develop malocclusions from hereditary factors, environmental factors, or both. For example, habits like thumb-sucking can lead to malocclusion, disrupting the placement of the tongue and preventing its transversal development.
Adolescence is well known for being a time of growth and biological change, as each individual begins the journey to become an active contributor to society. Emotions start becoming more complex as ideas of image and self-esteem form during this journey, making it a period of developmental and psychological instability. Up to 50 per cent of all mental health conditions start before the age of 14, demonstrating the vulnerability of adolescents. Self-esteem is a crucial determinant of an adolescent’s mental health, with low self-esteem being connected with depression, anxiety, self-destructive behaviour, a struggle to socialise, substance abuse and an earlier initiation of sexual activity, all of which reduce their quality of life.
Conversely, adolescents with higher self-esteem perform better in school and sports and are therefore more likely to flourish as they transition into adulthood. Gender plays a key role too, with girls tending to report more emotional problems and have lower self-esteem than boys. Orthodontic treatments fulfil an improvement in self-esteem, often motivated by an aesthetic desire as well as a functional one. It is unsurprising then that young females are the largest demographic who apply for orthodontic treatment as a way of feeling more positive about how they see themselves.
Fitting in
For adolescents and children, physical appearance and attractiveness play integral roles in communicating. Many interactions involve focusing on the other person’s eyes and mouth; it is common for teenagers to spend more time looking in the mirror or to be more conscious about the clothes they wear. They worry that the way they may negatively perceive themselves is the same as how others perceive them.
If malocclusions, be they overbites or a crowded anterior, change facial aesthetics, it may impact how the adolescent views their own attractiveness. This can inhibit dating or making new friends, with adolescents potentially feeling undesirable or shy in certain social situations. Self-esteem therefore influences the relationships we build, our trust in others and the way we work, among other things.
Orthodontic solutions
Whilst orthodontic treatment can boost self-esteem by correcting the occlusion and achieving a desired aesthetic, the patient may not feel completely confident until long after the treatment. This could be because braces have several side effects that may impact self-confidence, such as slight speech impediments and the overall aesthetic of the brace. To help reduce these side effects and increase self-esteem, practitioners should encourage orthodontic patients to take meticulous care with oral hygiene during treatment, reducing the risk of other oral health complications such as caries and periodontitis.
For a superb solution, recommend the Ortho Kit from Curaprox to your patients. It contains a CS 5460 ultra-soft toothbrush and a CS 1006 single toothbrush so that patients can thoroughly clean their teeth and the gumline. For periods of irritation, the ortho wax can alleviate pain caused by the braces, providing relief and comfort during treatment. With interdental brushes also included, orthodontic patients can customise an oral hygiene routine that keeps their teeth, gingivae and braces plaque-free. The Ortho Kit also comes with a brochure to detail how best to use or apply each product, ensuring compliance.
Malocclusions change how patients eat, interact and live, with the potential to limit their quality of life. For young people, self-esteem is vital for their successful transition into adulthood. Raising self-esteem through orthodontic treatment can enhance their future prospects.
References available on request.
For more information visit www.curaprox.co.uk