Why Your Child May Need Braces at a Young Age

Some parents dread the idea of taking their children to an orthodontist. Many of them are afraid they can’t get affordable braces. Others fear how their kid will react to the idea of orthodontic treatment.

One question that arises from parents is: when is the best age to straighten your teeth? Both adults and children can see an orthodontist for any issues related to tooth and jaw alignment. There are many benefits to getting braces for kids, but you might not know the right time to schedule a visit. In this article, we look at what to expect.

When Should Your Child Start Orthodontic Treatment?

There is a consensus that the best age to start orthodontic treatment is between 12 and 14. However, you can take your child for a checkup and treatment as early as age seven. Previously, orthodontists believed that parents should wait until their children were at least 12. The belief was that you had to wait until all the baby teeth had fallen out.

Today, experts agree that an early visit to an orthodontist can help prevent complications later. Many children will develop gum, tooth, and jaw problems from sucking their thumb, accidents, or other dental issues. Dental problems could also develop as a result of hereditary factors.

Taking your child for orthodontist treatment can help detect issues before they are complex and expensive to treat. You may need to find affordable braces if your little one has any of these problems:

• Issues with chewing and biting
• Breathing through the mouth
• Disproportionate jaw in relation to the face
• Misplaced, misaligned, or crowded teeth
• Frequent thumb sucking
• An underbite or overbite

Usually, a pediatric dentist will identify these problems before the loss of the baby teeth. They may refer you to an orthodontist who could recommend a two-stage treatment process. The first stage involves addressing the issue in the short term, followed by a second visit after the permanent teeth develop.

Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment

In orthodontics, various devices can be employed to address the jaw, tooth, and gum problems. If your child has difficulty breathing, for example, palatal expanders may be necessary. The palatal expanders gradually widen the jaw to create more room in the mouth cavity.

If you can identify dental health problems at an early stage, you may not need even affordable braces; rather, you may be able to avoid this scenario altogether. Depending on the stage and the nature of the problem, you may successfully reverse the problem. Prompt orthodontic treatment may be beneficial in the following ways:

• Reduce the Risk of Impacted Tooth: Orthodontics care will ensure that your child’s teeth and jaws are in proper alignment. You can, therefore, reduce the risk of issues such as an impacted tooth.
• Improve Speech: The poor alignment of the jaw and the teeth can make talking difficult. Treatment will improve speech and the ability to chew.
• Boost Confidence: Many parents often worry that getting braces for teens will diminish their child’s self-esteem. But crooked teeth and misaligned jaws that affect speech can have a greater impact on their confidence. Treatment will ensure that the growth of permanent teeth is healthy.
• Oral Hygiene: Learning good oral hygiene is important, especially if you will need braces for kids in your home. Both parents and their children will be shown the proper techniques to use to keep the device clean and teeth healthy.
• Decrease Snoring: Jaw and gum problems may be causing obstructions in the nasal airway, thereby making snoring more frequent and intense. Your child may experience difficulty breathing while sleeping, which may cause problems such as insomnia. An orthodontist will assess the jaw, breathing, and facial structure to come up with a lasting solution that will boost the child’s health.

Bottom-Line

It is advisable to take your child to the orthodontist as soon as jaw and teeth problems crop up — or by the time they turn seven. An assessment can help establish the course of action to take that will prevent complications in the future. If you need affordable braces, don’t hesitate to talk to our experienced professionals today.