Early Prevention
EARLY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN
Early orthodontic therapy vs. traditional braces: what’s the difference, and why could my child require it? Why is it important to begin therapy as soon as possible?
How do you know whether your kid is a good candidate for orthodontic treatment? It is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists that children be seen by an orthodontist by the time they are 7. You and your kid’s orthodontist will discuss whether or not your youngster needs braces at this time.
An underbite and other bite issues may be corrected with early treatment. Preventing extractions in the future is another benefit of early intervention in orthodontics.
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR CHILD MAY NEED EARLY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing and/or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Your child continues sucking his or her thumb after age five
- Speech impediments
- Protruding teeth (the top teeth and the bottom teeth extend away from each other)
- Teeth that don’t come together in a normal manner or even at all
- Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes his or her mouth (crossbites)
- Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
WHAT CAUSES ORTHODONTIC PROBLEMS, AND HOW WILL EARLY PREVENTION BENEFIT MY CHILD?
In addition to heredity, trauma to the mouth or thumb-sucking behaviors may lead to crowding of the teeth, too much space between teeth, jaw development issues such as projecting teeth and a crooked bite, or a combination of the two. Poor dental hygiene may also lead to orthodontic issues like this.
By the time they are 13, most children have lost all of their baby teeth and their jawbones have finished growing. Adults may have to wait longer for orthodontic treatment due to the fact that their bone isn’t changing as rapidly as children’s bone.
If your child is between the ages of seven and eight and is exhibiting symptoms that indicate the need for orthodontic treatment, or if your family dentist has recommended it, you should make an appointment with an orthodontist. Your child will be examined by one of our professionals, and you will be given advice on how to best care for your child’s teeth.
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