Strasdin Orthodontics

Early Prevention

Braces

Early Orthodontic Treatment

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends seeing an orthodontist for the first time around age seven. This is the perfect age to determine whether a child will need orthodontic treatment.

Early treatment typically begins at age 8 or 9. This is ‘Phase 1’ of treatment, and Phase 2 will begin at age 11 or older. Early treatment will help correct issues with a bad bite, and direct the growth of the jaw. It will also create more space for incoming teeth, reducing crowding and the chance of needing extractions later in life.

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How to Tell If Your Child Needs Early Orthodontic Treatment

There are several signs that indicate your child will need early orthodontic treatment, including:

Early or late loss of baby teeth (tooth loss should start around five years old, and permanent teeth should be in by age 13

Jaws and teeth are disproportionate to the rest of the face

Difficulty chewing or biting

Mouth-breathing after age five

Thumb-sucking

Crowded or malpositioned teeth

Jaws pop or make noise when they open and close

The Benefits of Early Treatment

There are a lot of reasons to have early treatment done in childhood. The primary benefit of early treatment is that during your younger years, your jaw is still growing. That means that if we diagnose a problem, it will be far easier to correct.

Orthodontics for adults are often more difficult and time-consuming than orthodontics for children and teens. Treatments at this point may also involve tooth extraction or orthognathic surgery. By treating issues before your jaw is done growing, you’ll reduce the need for orthodontics as an adult.

If your dentist has directed you to visit the orthodontist, or if your child aged 7-8 shows signs of needing orthodontic treatment, please contact us to schedule an initial exam appointment.

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