Are You Concerned About the Future of Your Child’s Oral Health?
Posted on April 29, 2021
Today, over 4 million people in America wear braces per the American Association of Orthodontists. Part of that 4 million includes children—children who have gaps that need to close, crooked teeth, and misaligned jaws. There are still many more children who need early orthodontics. Children aged between 9 to 14 are the perfect candidates for treatment.
The American Association of Orthodontics has stated that most kids should be evaluated at the age of 7. That doesn’t necessarily mean your 7-year-old needs braces. However, you should start thinking about their oral health and schedule a consultation with an orthodontist. They may benefit from braces for teens when they get older.
There are orthodontic problems that are much easier to fix by being proactive. Early orthodontics ensures that your child’s face and jaw are growing correctly. Starting at 7, children should be checked every 6 to 12 months so the best treatment can be recommended, if needed.
Is Early Treatment Really That Important?
Yes, it actually is important. Early orthodontics is meant to intercept developing problems and eliminate them. It also gives orthodontists the chance to guide the growth of the facial bones and jaw so there is sufficient space for permanent teeth to come in. Another course of treatment for children with their adult teeth is meant to move them into alignment with braces for straight teeth.
It is important to note that problems can occur and become more serious if your child is not treated. There are many oral problems that can be treated while your child still has baby teeth. Those problems tend to include the following:
- Excessively Spaced Teeth
- Crowded Teeth
- Extra Teeth
- Missing Teeth
- Underbites
- Teeth That Meet Abnormally
- Crossbites
- Teeth That Do Not Meet at All
- Pacifier or Thumb-Sucking That Affects Teeth or the Jaw
There Are Many Benefits to Early Prevention
There are many things that could cause orthodontic problems. They could be caused by an injury to the mouth, inherited, due to thumb-sucking habits, or due to late or early loss of baby teeth. Baby teeth are generally lost by the age of 12 or at the end of the teen years.
By this time, the growth of jaw bones should be complete, giving them adult jawbones. Procedures for adults, or bones that have reached full growth, can involve oral surgery or tooth extractions that both take more time. Early orthodontics minimizes the need for surgery or extractions in the future.
Ensure Your Child Sees an Orthodontist at a Young Age
Is your child showing any signs of having problems with their teeth? Has your family doctor already referred you to an orthodontist? Rest assured that friendly and caring orthodontists offer early orthodontics that will keep your child healthy.
It is always advisable to take children to see an orthodontist at a young age, even if it hasn’t been recommended yet. It’s easier to catch problems, create a plan to treat them early, and fix them. Facial growth is what counts the most. Once a child has fully grown, oral health problems become more serious. Increase your child’s chances of having a gorgeous, healthy smile by scheduling a free consultation with a Spokane orthodontist today.
