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Early orthodontic treatment for children is crucial to addressing dental issues before they become more serious and potentially require more invasive interventions later on. Our orthodontists at Village Orthodontics will list the signs that your child may need early orthodontic intervention and the types of treatment available.
What is Orthodontic Treatment?
Orthodontic treatment involves the use of braces, aligners, or other appliances to straighten teeth, correct bite issues, and improve overall oral health. This treatment helps to guide the growth and development of the jaw and teeth, ensuring that they align properly for a healthy smile.
Orthodontic treatment can also address issues such as overcrowding, spacing problems, and misaligned teeth that can impact a child's speech, chewing ability, and self-esteem.
Is Early Orthodontic Treatment Necessary for Children?
Early orthodontic intervention for children can be of great importance. It can help correct issues with jaw growth and tooth alignment before they become more severe, and can improve a child's self-esteem and confidence by creating a straighter, more aesthetically pleasing beautiful smile.
Furthermore, starting orthodontic treatment at a young age can prevent potential speech impediments and difficulty chewing or swallowing that may arise from misaligned teeth or jaws. Early intervention also allows orthodontists to guide the growth of permanent teeth into their proper positions, reducing the likelihood of overcrowding or other issues that could require extensive treatment in the future.
At Village Orthodontics, we offer phase 1 (for children 5-11) and phase 2 (for children 12-18) orthodontic treatment. Phase 1 treatment helps the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate your child's permanent teeth. Phase 2 builds on that foundation with either braces or clear aligners, if necessary.
Signs Your Child Needs Early Orthodontic Treatment
Below, we'll list some of the most common reasons why your child might need early-age orthodontic treatment.
Crowded or Crooked Teeth
Crooked or crowded teeth can lead to difficulty chewing and speaking, as well as an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. This is because it’s much harder to clean crooked or crowded teeth properly than it is to clean aligned teeth.
Additionally, misaligned teeth can cause jaw pain and headaches due to uneven pressure on the jaw joint.
Difficulty Biting or Chewing
Your child may need orthodontic treatment if they have difficulty biting or chewing food. This could be due to misaligned teeth or jaw problems, which can impact their ability to chew and digest food properly. Additionally, if your child frequently complains of pain or discomfort while eating, it may be a sign that their teeth are not properly aligned and could benefit from orthodontic intervention.
Early Loss of Baby Teeth
Another sign that your child may need orthodontic treatment is the early loss of baby teeth, which can indicate issues with tooth alignment or spacing. This is because early loss of baby teeth can disrupt the natural development of permanent teeth by creating gaps or crowding in the mouth.
Orthodontic Treatment Options for Children
Thankfully, there are a lot of great early orthodontic treatment options for children to help them with their smiles. Some of the most common include:
Braces
Early intervention with braces is a common orthodontic treatment for children. Metal brackets and wires are used to straighten teeth and correct bite issues and bad bites. The brackets are bonded to the teeth and connected by wires that are periodically adjusted by the orthodontist to gradually move the teeth into their proper positions. This treatment typically lasts for a couple of years, during which time children may need to avoid certain foods and practice good oral hygiene to prevent decay around the braces.
Palatal Expanders
Palatal expanders are commonly used in children to correct narrow palates and create more space for permanent teeth to come in properly. This orthodontic appliance is typically worn for several months and gradually widens the upper jaw by applying gentle pressure on the palate.