Osteopathy and teenagers

The teenage years are a period of great upheaval that deserve special attention. ALIX RAMOUSSE, an osteopath at Halswell Road Clinic, shares how osteopathy can keep the teenager’s body in balance and promote their development through to adulthood.

During the teenage years, growth is incredibly fast but not always smooth. There can be significant tension in tendons and muscles. Growing bones can also cause a lot of pain. They need to adjust to carrying the increasing weight. This energy required can sometimes appear as laziness to parents!

The limbs grow before the trunk, which makes teenagers clumsy. They bump and fall more easily. Teenagers also undergo many physical stresses in their everyday life. For instance, activities such as leaning over the device for a long time or carrying a heavy school bag, can all have an impact on the body.

Teenagers like to take risks. Whether it’s during a high-level sporting activity or just playing ‘crazy’ to impress their friends, these activities can cause injury. So, it’s no surprise that teenagers’ backs don’t always grow straight!

The onset of scoliosis, or spine deformation, could appear in the adolescent years and should be taken seriously. It’s important that teenagers are checked regularly by an osteopath to minimise the tensions that the body receives and restore balance and freedom of movement.

Finally, the teenage years are an ideal period for the correction of dental occlusion by orthodontics. It brings a significant advantage for the overall balance of the skull and teeth, as well as leading to happy, confident smiles. On the other hand, very often, braces create tensions in the jaw and neck which can lead to headaches and pain. The gentle manipulations of osteopathy are essential to help your teenager support the changes made by braces.

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GET A FREE WHAT SMILESVILLE PATIENTS ARE SAYING CONSULTATION NOW Talk to the friendly staff Cassy: “I’ve been coming here to see Ruchika since I was 17. I absolutely adore how friendly and gentle she is and her expertise in her field is phenomenal. She at Smilesville Dental to was able to adjust my jaw shape to assist with over crowding and straightened transform your child’s face, my teeth without requiring any extraction despite other dentists saying extraction was inevitable. I always feel at ease with Ruchika and would highly jaws, teeth and life! Call recommend her to anyone. Thanks for giving me a smile I can finally be proud of.” 0800 INVISIBLE (0800 468 474) Rachele: “I have been with Smilesville Dental for the last 10 years. We are now Smilesville Patient underwent Invisalign Teen up to child number 4 for orthodontic treatment. Ruchika and Sam have been Q: Why is it important for my 6 year old to see a dentist, is that not too young? amazing over this time. My husband and I also attend the clinic. Dentists are not my favourite place but this is the best pain free, friendly and quick service. I highly recommend Ruchika and her team.”

The age of starting depends on various factors but can be as early as 6 yrs in some case. A check at 6 yrs of age with Dr. Sachdev - a functional dentist having experience in orthodontics for Children can help identify future action with minimum intervention. An early intervention ( preventative approach) allows to focus on the growth, development and wellbeing of younger patients along with straightening teeth thereby bringing Facial Balance& BEFORE AFTER

Symmetry. By way of this early approach, Dr. Sachdev’s goal is to provide and maintain space for permanent teeth so they naturally fall into their allocated space in a “non-surgical, non-extraction way.” This minimises the need for more extensive and painful intervention later, at the same time brings facial balance and Face & smile improvement of a Smilesville patient symmetry to the child’s face and smile - helping them look and feel their best. Hence it may be the perfect time for children to start treatment as early as possible. What affects my children’s teeth? Q: Q: How do I know if my children or I need treatment? • If you are unsure of whether or not you require treatment, take a look in the mirror and answer these questions:

Dr. Ruchika Sachdev of Smilesville Dental says - “If the muscles are • Do your top front teeth stick out (bucked teeth)? out of balance – the teeth, jaws, face and smile will be affected. This in turn affects breathing, facial appearance, teeth and it’s function, gum health, confidence to smile, self esteem and overall well being.” • Is there a visible space between your bottom and top teeth when you bite together (open bite)? • Do your top teeth cover more than 25 percent

Dr. Sachdev and her team at Smilesville Dental are known for of your bottom teeth when you bite together providing a unique type of treatment with Braces, Invisalign or a (overbite or deep bite)? combination that not only works to give you straight teeth but also corrects the underlying causes of abnormal development creating well balanced faces and attractive smiles. • Are your bottom teeth in front of your top teeth (under bite)? • Do any of your teeth overlap (crowding)?

BEFORE

Face & smile improvement of a Smilesville patient AFTER Do the centres of your top and bottom teeth line up (midline)? Do you accidentally bite your cheek or tongue a lot? Are your teeth wearing unevenly? Are there gaps or spaces between your teeth? Do you have breathing issues, jaw pain, sleeping problems and other related issues?

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