Is Early Orthodontics Right for Your Child?

Orthodontics and the idea of getting braces, are usually associated with the teen years, but now, early orthodontics can help eliminate many problems before they occur. Early orthodontic treatment can help prevent serious issues, like problems chewing or swallowing. The importance of early orthodontics cannot be stressed enough and can help your child build better self-esteem, too. Many things have changed in the world of orthodontics, and if you have wondered what the right age for braces is for your child, Luna Pediatric Dentistry in Richmond Texas, has a few guidelines for kids dental care that can help.

What Is Orthodontic Treatment?

Often, people associate a beautiful smile with good health. It is true that your oral health also affects your overall feeling of well-being. Unfortunately, not everyone is born with perfectly straight teeth. Orthodontics is more than about appearances, and you have many reasons to be concerned about your child’s oral development.

Problems with misaligned teeth can lead to issues that include gum disease, tooth decay, pain, or difficulty chewing. A misaligned bite affects many other areas of health, which highlights the importance of early orthodontics and braces for children.

An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in jaw irregularities and problems with teeth alignment. They can identify problems in children, teens, and adults. A children’s orthodontic specialist can also help identify problems that begin to develop as the child grows older. This is the most important reason why early orthodontics is so important.

If one of your recent Internet searches has included “pediatric dentist near me,” then you already know the importance of taking care of your child’s teeth. Kids dental care begins at an early age. Your child should see a dentist as soon as the first tooth begins to emerge. This makes it not only important to search for a children dentist in Richmond Texas who performs general dental practice, but you should also search for one who can spot orthodontic problems as soon as they begin to appear.

How Does Early Orthodontics Fix Crooked Teeth?

The field of orthodontics has come a long way, and many options are now available that were not in the past. On rare occasions, a severe underbite or overbite might need corrective surgery. This process will lengthen or shorten the jaw so that the teeth align properly. This procedure is only performed after the jaw finishes growing.

Fortunately, the need for surgery is rare, and many treatments are available that are much less invasive. Braces are the most common type of treatment to move teeth into proper alignment. Now, you have choices that include metal, ceramic, plastic, and clear appliances.

Many types of braces bond directly to the teeth and are removed once the treatment is complete. In some cases, headgear is used to move the teeth into proper alignment using external pressure from outside the mouth. Another popular choice is an aligner that does not bond directly to the teeth and must be worn for a certain number of hours during the day, such as only at night. This is a popular choice for braces for adults.

Less invasive procedures, like braces or aligners, are often the only treatment needed. This is especially true in the case of braces for adults after the head and jaw have stopped growing. In cases where these less invasive procedures are unsuccessful, then surgery might be an option.

How Does Early Orthodontics Differ from Braces for Teens

The main difference between braces for kids and braces for adults is that with younger children the jaw is still growing. With braces for teens, the jaw is still growing, but not as rapidly as in early childhood. It used to be that the most common recommendation was for children to see an orthodontist around age seven or older, but now, these recommendations have changed.

At what age you can get braces depends on several factors. The age for braces is now younger than in the past. Braces for children help them to avoid many problems. Sometimes, braces for kids can help prevent the need for surgery later. Correcting the problems while the jaw is still growing can help correct malalignment or prevent it from becoming as severe.

Benefits of Early Orthodontics

As a parent, it is difficult to know when early intervention is the best choice or when you need to wait until the child’s mouth is more mature. When it comes to preventative care, children’s orthodontics has several advantages.

1. Correct Permanent Teeth Alignment

It is easier to correct permanent teeth alignment while the jaw is still growing, and the teeth are still coming in. Getting braces for children allows for the correction of problems before they begin, in many cases. This is especially important if your child is prone to jaw abnormalities or bite problems.

2. Regulate the Width of the Dental Arches

Braces for kids can help regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches. This can help prevent problems like malocclusion and craniofacial abnormalities from developing. It is one of the most important reasons to get braces for kids because it can help prevent the need for surgery or the development of significant difficulties involving the jaw later in life.

3. Create More Space

In some children, the jaw may be proportionally small and can cause crowded teeth when they come in. Crowded teeth can be difficult to clean properly, and this can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems. Braces for children can help give the child a perfect smile and set them up for better dental health throughout their life.

4. Avoid Need for Tooth Extractions

In some cases, if the teeth are too crowded, the dentist may need to extract a few teeth to make room for the others. This is a painful process for your child, and braces for children can help prevent the need for this procedure. Braces for kids are much less invasive, and often a better option than having to have teeth pulled at an early age.

5. Correct Thumb Sucking Bite Issues

Thumb sucking is normal behavior for children and helps them soothe themselves. Normally, the child discontinues this behavior on their own when they find other ways to comfort themselves. It is not typically problematic, but if the thumb sucking is overly vigorous or continues long after the baby teeth begin to come in, then it can cause problems. Thumb sucking is a habit that can cause baby teeth to come in out of alignment.

It was once thought that this was not problematic unless it continued beyond the age of five when permanent teeth begin to come in. Now, we know that thumb sucking can cause problems with the shape of the jaw, the shape of the roof of the mouth, and other issues that can affect tooth alignment. Early orthodontic treatment can help prevent these problems or treat them once they have developed.

6. Improve Speech Problems

In some children, misalignment of the teeth, deformities of the jaw, and improper arches can cause speech problems. Early orthodontics can help prevent or correct these problems. In some cases, minor speech problems may disappear altogether, or respond to only minor speech therapy intervention.

Is Early Orthodontics Treatment Necessary?

Now, you know some of the benefits of early orthodontics, but you might wonder if your child needs treatment. Early orthodontic treatment is not always necessary, but seeing an orthodontist who specializes in children early on should be a part of a well-child routine.

It is important to have a check-up for your child with a specialist in children’s orthodontics as soon as the new teeth begin to erupt. A children’s orthodontist can often spot problems with the jaw or bone formation that will lead to misalignment of the bite and teeth. At the very least, a children’s orthodontist who specializes in early orthodontics can monitor the growth of the jaw, bone structure, and teeth as they come in.

Early orthodontics is often called “interceptive treatment” because the baby teeth are still coming in. The average age for a first orthodontist visit is at the age of seven when some permanent teeth are beginning to come in, but a check earlier than this can spot major issues before they develop. The orthodontist can also help determine if thumb or pacifier sucking is creating an issue in the developing bone structure.

Early Orthodontics Treatment Pros and Cons

Early orthodontics is preventive care that can save your child from having serious issues later. It can help prevent bone and jaw deformities, and your child will have a beautiful smile from an early age. Early orthodontics also helps set the stage for proper dental care throughout the rest of your child’s life. Let’s explore some of the pros and cons of braces for kids.

Early Orthodontics Pros

One of the main pros of early orthodontics is that it can help treat certain problems early. Some problems that are treatable while the child still has baby teeth are:

• Crossbites
• Underbites
• Crowded teeth
• Spaces between teeth
• Extra or missing teeth
• Teeth that don’t meet
• Thumb or pacifier sucking issues

Some of these problems are due to genetics or result from improper swallowing or activities, like thumb sucking. Getting them treated early means your child will be able to develop normal jaw and mouth functioning earlier.

Secondly, waiting until facial growth is almost complete can make the treatment process longer and more difficult. Braces for teens and adults often require a longer treatment course because the bones are not as pliable and responsive to treatment. Your orthodontist can help you determine the best age for braces for your child.

Another pro to allowing a professional to correct your child’s orthodontic issues early is that they will be less likely to remember it when they are older. Braces for teens can be an embarrassment because of the importance of social circles at that time. Teens tend to be more self-conscious about braces than younger children. This can have a significant effect on their self-esteem and confidence.

Early Orthodontics Cons

One of the main cons is the cost of early orthodontics. Of course, this is always a concern, but waiting can mean more extensive treatment later and a larger bill. Braces for adults often take a longer time to correct the issue. Also, if the problem requires major craniofacial surgery later, it is more expensive and more traumatic for your child than correcting the problem with less invasive procedures when they are younger.

What Age Do Kids Get Braces?

At what age can you get braces? Early orthodontics is important, but the traditional age for kids to get braces is in their early teen years. Braces for teens are usually recommended between the ages of 10 and 14. Traditional thinking in orthodontics is that at this age they have all their teeth or nearly all of them, but their bones are still soft and more pliable than those of adults.

Some orthodontists prefer to recommend braces for teens between the ages of 11 and 13. The most common time is after your child has lost their primary teeth, but before the second molars have erupted. The best age for braces for your child depends on several factors, and your orthodontist is the best person to ask for this advice. Early orthodontics practices recommend that your child see an orthodontist at age seven, long before the recommended time for braces for teens.

Braces for adults are still possible, but the treatment can be more challenging. Adults have harder jawbones, and it can take longer for braces for adults to move the teeth into the proper position. Braces for adults can help you have a more confident smile and have better dental health as you age because it is easier to achieve proper dental care. The ideal age for braces is in the pre-teen to early teen years, but it is good to know that braces for adults are still an option.

What’s the Youngest You Can Get Braces?

The ideal age for braces is in the early teen years, but if your child has bite problems or issues that will affect the ability to chew or swallow, your orthodontist might recommend braces at an earlier age. By the age of seven, your child’s backbite has developed enough to see any alignment problems that are present. In some cases, interceptive care is performed while your child has more baby teeth than permanent teeth. This usually begins with a removable dental appliance, with braces to follow later. When early treatment is complete, the second phase can take less time.

Is 8 too young for braces? For most, seven is considered an early age for braces, but in some cases, children as young as six might need them. Some orthodontists contend that it is never too early for braces. The best age for braces for your child is a decision that should be made after consultation with an experienced early orthodontics professional.

Braces Cost for Children

When searching for a “pediatric dentist near me,” the cost of braces is probably a big concern. One of our goals at Luna Pediatric Dentistry is to make sure cost is not an obstacle to your child getting the dental care that they need. We offer flexible payment plans, and we accept many forms of insurance.

Of course, the final cost of care depends on the treatment needed. We will work with you to develop a plan of treatment that works for you and your child. On average, costs can range between $450 to $1,500 for phase I treatments. Additional care can cost between $3,000 to $6,000 for a complete course of braces. Some types of braces, such as ceramic ones, can increase the cost to between $4,000 to $8,000. These are only rough averages and do not reflect the cost of care your child might need.

Why Luna Pediatric Dentistry in Richmond Texas?

Luna Pediatric Dentistry is a team of Board-Certified dentists who specialize in providing the best care for children. We serve Sugarland, Aliana, Mission Bend, Richmond, and surrounding areas in TX. Our practice offers a kid-centric environment designed to make the visit fun and enjoyable. We are a children dentist in Richmond Texas dedicated to encouraging your child to establish a lifetime of good dental practices and care. If you have been searching for “braces near me,” contact us, and our friendly staff will be happy to set up an appointment soon.

See Also:                    Children Preventive Dentistry