Determining whether your child needs orthodontic treatment is an important consideration, and there are certain signs to look out for. While there isn’t a specific age to commence orthodontic care, around seven years old is when many permanent teeth have developed sufficiently, and the jaw is established enough to identify any existing or potential issues.
Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment
Getting orthodontic treatment during childhood offers several advantages, such as shorter treatment duration, fewer impacted permanent teeth, and a reduced likelihood of tooth removal. This is achieved by:
- Guiding teeth into desired positions early on
- Minimizing crowding and creating room for erupting teeth
- Guiding jaw growth
- Correcting the effects of oral habits like thumb and finger sucking
Signs to Watch For
To determine if your child may benefit from orthodontics, pay attention to the following signs:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting into food
- Grinding and/or clenching of teeth
- Mouth breathing
- Speech difficulties
- Thumb or other finger sucking habit
- Crowding, misplacement, or blocking of teeth
- Jaw shifts or jaw noises like popping
- Protruding teeth
- Biting the inside of the cheek
- Teeth meeting abnormally or not meeting at all
- Jaw and teeth proportions appearing disproportionate to the face
It’s essential to note that these signs don’t guarantee the necessity of treatment but suggest that an orthodontic evaluation may be beneficial.
Schedule an Evaluation
If you suspect your child may benefit from orthodontic care, don’t hesitate to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Schneider and the team at Central Park Orthodontics. Call us at (303) 316-7846 or click below to contact us.
