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If it’s been recommended that your young child needs orthodontic treatment, you might wonder why it’s necessary when they still have baby teeth. We answer that question and more about early orthodontic treatment here.
Orthodontic treatments are typically associated with older kids and teenagers; children who have lost all their baby teeth. And this is an understandable association. It’s logical to think that orthodontic treatment will be far more effective once all the baby teeth are gone and adult teeth have permanently taken their place.
But, in actuality, tooth and jaw development are complicated. So, the American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children start visiting the orthodontist at age 7, right after they’ve started losing baby teeth.
If tooth and/or jaw misalignment isn’t caught and treated early enough, it can lead to complications that will be much harder to treat down the road. Starting orthodontist visits earlier rather than later mitigates some of this risk.
Farid Hanachi, DDS, PA, and the rest of our team at Hanachi Orthodontics in Gastonia and Mooresville, North Carolina, are passionate about the importance of childhood orthodontic care. So, in this month’s blog, we’re discussing how early orthodontic intervention can improve your child’s oral health and what to expect for their orthodontic treatment.
Why your child might need early orthodontic treatment
Your child’s permanent molars start growing around age six, which is also when your child’s baby teeth start falling out. Although the stages of permanent teeth development happen in a predictable pattern, your child’s teeth and jawbone are rapidly growing and developing, meaning dental issues could crop up with little to no warning.
As your child’s molars are developing, their gum line hides most of each growing tooth and all of the bone that holds them in place. So, any potential dental issues that can interfere with proper tooth emergence and development are hidden, making them much more difficult to spot and treat promptly.
By seeking early orthodontic care and not waiting until your child has all their permanent teeth, you lower their risk of serious jaw and tooth misalignment that will require hefty amounts of time and money to treat.
What does early orthodontic treatment look like?
You may not notice any obvious signs that your child needs orthodontic treatment. However, if you do see that your child isn’t losing their baby teeth in a typical fashion, grinds their teeth, breathes through their mouth, or has severely overcrowded teeth, a trip to our office is imperative.
During your child’s first visit, Dr. Hanachi does a thorough examination of your child’s teeth, gums, and jawbone to determine if early orthodontic treatment is necessary. Early orthodontic treatment can give your child’s jawbone guidance as it develops, allowing them to eat, speak, and chew with ease.
The type of treatment and the timeline for it will depend greatly on the type of issue your child has and what you feel comfortable with as a parent.
If you notice anything of concern about your child’s oral health, or if your child is over the age of seven and hasn’t been to see us yet, schedule an appointment by calling your nearest office location or using our online booking feature today.