Children can benefit from orthodontic treatment. Many kids by the age of 7 should see an orthodontist, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. Early evaluation can be a good idea because if there is a problem, your orthodontist can treat it while your child is still growing. Our doctors at Jarosz & Valente Orthodontics recommend early treatment so your child can have a healthy smile during and after growth. If problems are left untreated, it can be more difficult for orthodontists to treat your child with braces by the time they’re adults. Here are reasons as to why putting off early treatment can be a bad idea.
What You Need to Know About Early Treatment
Early treatment (Phase 1 orthodontics) is a treatment option that allows orthodontists to identify and diagnose issues while your child’s tooth development and jaw growth are happening. When treating children in this phase, it can create proper space for their permanent teeth. It can also make sure that a child’s bite is aligned and that their jaw is in proper function. If you think your child needs treatment, here are some signs to look out for:
- Crowded or misplaced teeth.
- The difficulty of biting and chewing.
- Mouth breathing.
- Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude, or are recessed.
- Misaligned bite (such as overbites, crossbites, & underbite).
- Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth.
These problems can affect your child’s facial development, the appearance of their smile, and the alignment of their teeth. If left untreated, your child will be more prone to tooth decay and disease because of their misaligned teeth. Also, damage to misaligned teeth can be much more severe and cause more damage than straight teeth. If they get into an accident (such as playing sports or activities), misaligned teeth would be more likely to push into each other- causing chipping or other damage to the gums. This is because improperly placed teeth will put extra pressure on other teeth.
Types of Early Treatment
If an orthodontist does recommend that your child get early treatment, it doesn’t necessarily mean braces. Depending on what your child needs fixing, treatment can include:
- Using expanders on the upper jaw to create space for crowded teeth.
- Removing one or more teeth to help permanent teeth come in the right position.
- Putting in teeth spacers to save space for permanent teeth if a tooth or teeth are missing.
Within orthodontics, every patient is different. There are many different types of treatments that can help your child’s oral health as they grow into adolescents and adults. Overall, early orthodontic treatment can be essential to keeping your child’s teeth healthy.
Contact Us for Early Treatment!
If your child needs early orthodontic treatment, or if you think they do, schedule an appointment at Jarosz & Valente Orthodontics! Our doctors and staff make sure that every child patient feels comfortable at our Deerfield and Arlington Heights offices. If you have any questions, please contact us! Early orthodontic treatment can provide tremendous benefits to your child, and make them feel confident about their smile by the time they are adolescents and adults.