Children’s Orthodontics
Caring For The Oral Health Of Your Child.
Is there a right time in your child’s life that orthodontics can make a difference? Yes, early orthodontic treatment can make a huge difference to your child’s self esteem whilst reducing cost and future treatment complexity.
When is the right time to start treatment?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child’s first orthodontic screening should occur when you first see orthodontic problems arising or by age 7 at the latest. There are several advantages to an early orthodontic consultation:
- It enables early orthodontic problems to be identified
- It can help you and your orthodontist plan the best time to begin treatment
- It enhances your child’s chances of receiving an ideal treatment outcome
- It may help you and your orthodontist determine that no treatment is required at all
Why is age seven the 'magic number'?
For most children, it’s around age seven when their first adult molars will come in. These molars will help establish a child’s adult bite. A thorough examination around age seven can predict common orthodontic problems like:
- Overbites
- Crowding
- Open bites
- Gummy smiles
Some conditions that may require early orthodontic intervention include:
- Trouble chewing or biting
- Mouth breathing, thumb or finger sucking
- Cross-bite
- Underbite
- Jaws that slide or make sounds
- Underbite
- Excessive overjet (buck teeth)
- Crowded or blocked out teeth
- Premature loss of, or over-retained primary teeth
If treatment is necessary, early orthodontic treatment is your best bet to give your child proper room for adult teeth to grow in, enhance facial symmetry, a reduced likelihood of having to remove teeth, a lower chance of experiencing dental trauma due to teeth that stick out awkwardly, and perhaps most importantly, a shorter time period spent in braces.
Early orthodontic treatment can not only give your child a lifetime of beautiful smiles, it can also set them on a course for long-lasting dental health. At the evaluation with Dr David, our team will provide you the information regarding the need for any treatment at this age. This will also allow you to begin forming a great relationship for you and your child at an early age with our team!
For further information, please contact our practice to schedule an appointment for an early orthodontic evaluation for your child.
