8 Advantages of an Early Orthodontic Treatment

By Emily Taylor

What difference would an early orthodontic treatment bring to my child’s oral health? How is it different than regular treatment? What are the symptoms to look out for in case of an early treatment?

These are some of the most frequently asked questions by parents in case of their child’s dental hygiene. Early orthodontic treatment suggests that children should start visiting an orthodontist by the age of seven.

This helps the orthodontist to analyze the present oral condition of the child and eventually plan an early orthodontic treatment. For example, if your child has a growing problem of crowding of teeth, then braces for kids is a plausible solution.

If your child shows the following signs, then your child is in need of an early orthodontic treatment:

• Loss of baby teeth before the age of five or after the age of thirteen
• Difficulty in chewing or biting
• Snores or breaths through the mouth
• Sucking a thumb or finger after the age of five
• Protruding front or bottom teeth
• Suffers from a speech impediment
• If the jaw shifts when opening or closing the mouth
• If the teeth do not come together in a normal manner

If you see any one of these signs, it is best to consult an orthodontist for your child’s early orthodontic treatment. These conditions should be treated as early as possible to prevent a time consuming as well as expensive treatment later in life.

8 Eye-catching Benefits of an Early Orthodontic Treatment for Children

1. It helps determine a better prognosis of how the permanent teeth take shape. An early treatment would ensure that the permanent teeth are properly aligned and determine a proper oral health.
2. It corrects habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting that may cause developmental problems later in life. These should be curbed early in life to avoid damaging a jaw’s growth pattern.
3. It corrects problems such as overbite, crossbite, and an underbite that cause jaw pain and dysfunction. Early orthodontic treatment promotes growth modification of the jaws and early extrusion of teeth which helps solve these problems early.
4. It guides the growth of jaw to accommodate emerging permanent teeth.  This happens while the primary teeth are still in place ensuring faster results. Their jaw being soft could easily be treated on time avoiding future problems.
5. It helps in the palatal expansion. Without this expansion process, a child’s teeth may erupt crooked or may not erupt at all. Early orthodontic treatment prevents narrower jaw and thus eliminating the chances of crowding.
6. It lowers the risk of damage to any protruding teeth. Braces for kids and an early treatment lower the chances of teeth damage by aligning the protruding teeth properly.
7. It reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Crowding of teeth and weaker gums due to serious bite problems can lead to improper cleaning and hence poor oral health. Early treatment helps in preventing this.
8. Early orthodontic treatment improves your child’s appearance and confidence. Straight teeth are signs of good oral health as well as a possessor of a confident smile.

Early orthodontic treatment from the age of seven facilitates early identification of oral problems and ensures timely treatment. It’s not too late to ensure a pain-free and confident future for your child. Have you introduced your child to an orthodontist yet?

About the Author – Emily Taylor found the perfect fit for herself as the Online Marketing Manager at Thurman Orthodontics in Fresno CA as she believes that a great smile does more than just make a person look great – it makes them feel great as well. The power of a smile has always been a mystery to Emily and she loves researching and writing about it. She loves to write about everything to do with a healthy bite and a beautiful smile – whether is it ways to achieve it or the importance of it in the various aspects of life. What brings a big smile on Emily’s face is her family and surfing. She also likes to bake and her children and co-workers call her the cookie fairy!