You may notice that people getting braces and other orthodontic care seem to get younger and younger. There was, in fact, a time, about a decade or two ago, when older teenagers were the only ones that used braces—but that is beginning to change.
This is because many parents are realising that orthodontic conditions are simply easier to correct while a child is younger. Early intervention provides orthodontists the opportunity to have control over where the permanent teeth come out by addressing the structure of the teeth while the primary ones are still in the mouth.
When to Go to the Orthodontist
Many dentists recommend that children see an orthodontist for the first time between the ages of 7 and 9. It is during this age that permanent teeth begin to emerge; issues on tooth alignment generally start to appear at this time.
Early orthodontic intervention allows for a proactive response to emerging problems and makes it easier to straighten crooked, misaligned, or even rotated teeth. It also helps guide, preserve, or create space for permanent teeth, as well as correct bite and speech problems by guiding the growth of the jaw.
There is a decreased need for extraction of permanent teeth in children that undergo orthodontic intervention. It also helps address the orthodontic issues immediately, and allows the orthodontist to follow up with another round of treatment when the child has all adult teeth in place.
Early Warning Signs of Orthodontic Issues
It is important to be cautious if your child’s permanent front teeth came in very early, or if your child has a crowded set of permanent teeth coming out. These, along with open bites, deep bites, cross bites, and over-jets, are the early signs of trouble in adult teeth. It is important for your child to see an orthodontist right away if these signs are evident.
If you are curious about whether your child needs early orthodontic treatment, feel free to contact Weybridge Orthodontics, the sought after orthodontists in Weybridge and one of the largest orthodontic practices in South East England. We are more than ready and happy to discuss your child’s case.