Kids Should Get an Orthodontic Check-Up By 7
By age seven, your child's teeth have developed enough for subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth to still be spotted while some baby teeth are still present.
This check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine, and braces for kids aren't necessary.
Or, Dr. Vo may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring your child's growth and development, and then, if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for your child.
In other cases, Dr. Vo might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.
Most of us are used to seeing teens with braces on. And recently, it’s become more and more common for adults as well. But what you may not know is that many children can benefit from treatment at a much younger age, often between 7 to 11.
In fact, the American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children receive an orthodontic evaluation by age seven.
What Is Early Treatment?
There are several advantages to early treatment. In many cases, if Dr. Vo treats your child while they’re young, they’ll need less treatment when they’re older.
In some cases, Dr. Vo can achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
Many oral habits, such as thumb sucking, can impact proper teeth alignment and other orthodontic issues. You may notice some of these in your child at a relatively young age, including:
- Teeth that are not aligned or are growing in crooked
- Narrow dental arches
- Protruding front teeth
- An “open bite”
You may also notice that your child’s teeth are “crowded” or that their jaw is developing unevenly.
All of these issues can be remedied with quality orthodontic care, and early/interceptive treatment can help require the amount of treatment your child will need later.
Choosing the Best Time for Treatment
While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they’re treated early.
If Dr. Vo thinks your child will need treatment, he’ll let you know when it will be best to begin treatment.
This gives your orthodontist the best chance to:
- Guide jaw growth
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child
- Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips and face
Signs the Bite's Not Right
It's not always easy to tell when your child may need braces or has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem bite.
Here are some clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Breathing through the mouth
- Thumb-sucking
- Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
- Jaws that are too far forward or back
- Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
- Protruding teeth
- Upper and lower teeth that don't meet or meet in an abnormal way
- An unbalanced facial appearance
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth
Learn More at Your Consultation
Getting your child in for early treatment can make all the difference in the amount of treatment they will need later on. As is so often the case with dental or medical issues, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
If your child has a dental issue, please contact us by setting up a consultation at our Windcrest or San Antonio office.
Dr. Vo can talk to you about your child's orthodontic options and develop a treatment plan customized to your child's needs.