Why Your Child Can Benefit From Early Orthodontic Treatment

Why Your Child Can Benefit From Early Orthodontic Treatment

It’s often a
surprise to parents when they get advised to take their child to an
orthodontist early in life. When children have reached the age of
seven, they should be scheduled to see an orthodontist for the first
time. During this visit, the dentist will have a chance to explore
the overall health of your child’s oral cavity and catch conditions
that can benefit from early treatment. If you’ve had early
orthodontic work suggested by your dentist, and are wondering how
your child will benefit from it, read on.

What
Signs May Indicate My Child Needs Early Orthodontic Work?

There
are a number of signs that you can watch for to help you know if you
need to take your child to an orthodontist. If you discover any of
the below indicators, you should consider scheduling an appointment
as soon as possible. Getting treatment for these early can help
prevent costly orthodontic work in the future.

• Milk
  teeth being lost before your child turns five or after they turn 13.
• Problems
  with biting or chewing.
• Mouth-breathing
  or snoring.
• Upper
  or lower teeth that are protruding
• Speech
  impediments
• Shifting
  of the jaw when the mouth closes or opens
• Teeth
  not lining up when the mouth is closed

Eight
Ways Your Child Can Benefit From Early Orthodontic Work

There
are multiple ways your child can benefit from orthodontic work done
early in life.

• It
  reveals issues with the development of your child’s permanent teeth.
  Catching concerns early will help them develop appropriately.
• Poor
  dental habits, such as tongue thrusting or tongue sucking, can be
  caught and corrected before they cause lasting damage.
• Underbite,
  overbite, and crossbite can lead to serious problems with the jaw,
  leading to dysfunction and TMJ issues. Getting orthodontic issues
  handled early ensures that teeth and jaw develop properly, avoiding
  these issues.
• It
  can ensure that patients’ mouths have room for permanent teeth
  without future orthodontic care. Results are achieved faster and
  easier with primary teeth still in place, and the softness of the
  unfinished jaw responds better to adjusting teeth placement.
• It
  addresses concerns with palatal expansion, which can lead to teeth
  not erupting or erupting crooked. Problems with a narrow jaw can be
  corrected early in life to ensure there are no issues later.
• Teeth
  that are protruding can be corrected, preventing damage caused by
  their being out of position.

Getting
your child started with orthodontic care early is an excellent way of
preparing for a future with good oral health. If you’ve noticed any
of the above concerns, pick up the phone and make a call to Dr. Swati
Singh at Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Noblesville, IN today.
You’ll be scheduled for an appointment and consultation on your
child’s oral health. If any orthodontic concerns are discovered, a
treatment plan will be discussed, and the next steps that suit you
and your child will be determined. Don’t let orthodontic concerns
cause problems later, start with early orthodontic treatment today.