Orthodontics For Kids

For years, braces and orthodontic treatment were things that only concerned teenagers. Today, not only are adults getting treatment, it’s also common practice to start addressing alignment issues earlier in a child’s life. In fact, it is recommended that orthodontic screening start around age 7. At this age, a child’s bones are still growing and their permanent teeth are still coming in, making it a great time to treat issues that will be more difficult to fix later in life. Here’s why orthodontics for kids just makes sense.

Why Your Child Should See an Orthodontist at Age 7

An orthodontic screening may reveal that your child needs to have her upper jaw, or palate, expanded. There are different types of appliances that can be used to accomplish this. Expanding the palate now is beneficial because your child’s jaw is still growing, and the process may help the permanent teeth to come in properly. It can also help to avoid surgery or tooth extraction later in life, when the bones are fully developed.

Early orthodontic intervention may also be recommended if your child has a misaligned bite. For example, an extreme overbite may cause your child’s teeth to protrude far enough that they are at risk of being injured in a fall or if he or she gets hit in the face. In this case, treatment may be used to realign the jaws and a partial set of braces may be placed on the top front teeth to bring them safely back into place.

The Benefits of Starting Early

By catching these problems early, we can work to align the jaw, create space for the permanent teeth and/or align their teeth early. This first phase of orthodontic treatment is a jumpstart to helping your child have a straight, healthy smile. It usually only requires an orthodontic appliance or a partial set of braces, and treatment doesn’t last very long.

Introducing your child to an orthodontist at a young age makes them more comfortable about being in an orthodontic office should they need treatment at an early age. One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to help them understand the importance of taking care of their teeth. It also allows the orthodontist to track their oral development and determine whether or not they might need braces or Invisalign aligners in the future.

If you’re looking for an orthodontist in Midlothian, please give our office a call. We will be happy to schedule an appointment and work with you and your child to find the best solution for a beautiful smile.