Bite problems don’t go away on their own. But as a parent, it can be tricky to see if your child’s smile is developing well. Whether your kiddo is sucking their thumb or expressing their discomfort with chewing food, you should not ignore these red flags, as they are indicators of a potential orthodontic problem. This means your child needs to see an orthodontist.
At Pioneer Orthodontics, we make sure your little one receives the best possible care that’s personalized to their needs so they grow up to love their own smile. Since we want your child to smile with us, our team has written a parent-friendly guide on visiting an orthodontist.
At What Age Should My Child See an Orthodontist?
Whether you’re a kid, teenager, or adult, orthodontics is for everyone. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), the right age for children to see an orthodontist is seven years old.
With your child possessing a mix of baby and permanent teeth, Dr. Tewes and his smile team can better assess and monitor your little one’s jaw development. This way, we can correct any orthodontic conditions and save your child from serious oral problems.
Why Should My Child Have Early Treatment?
Also called interceptive orthodontics, Phase I treatment helps address orthodontic problems as your child starts growing permanent teeth between the ages of six and nine.
Because your little one’s jaws are pliable and responsive at this age, it’s easier for our team to correct their bite and align their teeth. However, if you wait until your child reaches teenhood or adulthood, their treatment may involve surgery or tooth extraction.
Below, we share more benefits of Phase I treatment for your child:
Corrects Overbites and Underbites: If your child has an overbite, their upper teeth overlap with their lower teeth. But if they have an underbite, their lower teeth overlap their upper teeth. Both conditions are rooted in childhood habits.
Overbites and underbites cause mouth breathing, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, obstructed airways, and difficulty chewing and breathing. Treating irregular bites not only aligns your child’s teeth, it also promotes better oral health.
Relieves Chewing Difficulties: Having food preferences is okay. But if your child refuses to eat certain foods because of the pain and discomfort, most likely, it’s because of an irregular bite. With the help of our smile team in our Lincoln or York office, we can make eating fun and pain-free for your little one.
Breaks Bad Childhood Habits: Sucking is soothing developmental behavior for babies and children. That doesn’t mean you should be complacent about your little one’s orthodontic health.
In addition to genetics, thumb-sucking and prolonged pacifier use are also the causes of irregular bites and poor jaw development among children.
This is because the force from sucking their pacifier or finger shifts the positioning of your child’s teeth, which can lead to alignment issues and jaw problems. While these habits are cute, they can be tough to break. Don’t worry, our expert orthodontic team will provide the best treatment plan for your child.
Treats Dental Crowding and Tooth Spacing: Dental crowding is a malocclusion characterized by teeth rotating and erupting in odd positions due to a lack of space in the mouth. This makes brushing harder, which in turn, increases your child’s risk of gum disease.
Tooth spacing is also a type of malocclusion. It happens when your child’s teeth are too small or their jaw is too large for their teeth. Like dental crowding, tooth spacing also causes gum disease. By treating these orthodontic issues as early as possible, we help pave the way for a better smile for your child.
Prevents Mouth Breathing: Mouth breathing is not a normal habit; in fact, it is a clear sign of an orthodontic problem, such as misaligned teeth — which block your child’s nasal passages.
When your child breathes through their mouth, they can struggle with getting a good night’s sleep, develop an elongated face, or get ear or upper airway infections. If you notice your kiddo breathing through their mouth, it’s time to consult Dr. Tewes.
Will My Child Have Braces During Early Treatment?
Whether or not your child needs braces depends on our team’s assessment during your consultation. By considering your kiddo’s age, responsibility level, goals, family history, and the severity of their bite problem, we can determine if they’re eligible for braces. Our team may also closely monitor your child’s jaw development before we prescribe braces.
A Smile Your Child Will Love for a Lifetime
Your child deserves a beautiful smile. So don’t wait until your kid is older to see an orthodontist. As soon you notice the signs of a bite problem, it’s time to step up and book a free consultation in Lincoln and York with Dr. Tewes.