When you’re a child, the last thing on your mind is what you’ll look like as an adult. You’re too busy enjoying playing with your friends and living life to care about how you’ll look when you grow up. But when orthodontic treatment becomes necessary, parents suddenly have to decide whether they should start their kids’ treatment. At the same time, they’re still young or wait until they’ve passed through puberty. Many parents wonder if early orthodontic treatment is necessary for their kids—and it’s a good question! In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of early orthodontic treatment so you can decide whether it’s right for your child.
What is Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Early orthodontic treatment is straightening your teeth before your permanent teeth come in. This can be done with a series of appliances placed on your braces and tightened every two weeks until you have the desired result. Treatment usually starts at age 7 or 8 and is usually completed by age 13 or 14, depending on how much time it takes for each stage of treatment to be completed.
When Does Early Orthodontic Treatment Begin?
The answer is that early orthodontic treatment begins when the child is between 7 and 9 years old. This is because, at this age, their permanent teeth start to erupt. The jaw bones are still soft and flexible, making correcting alignment issues easier before they become permanent. The mouth also tends to be smaller in young children than it will be later on in life–another reason why early intervention is ideal!
Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment.
Early orthodontic treatment can help prevent future problems and improve your child’s oral health.
- It can improve your child’s self-esteem by helping them achieve a beautiful smile.
- Early treatment may also improve breathing and chewing ability, which can have a positive impact on physical development and nutrition.
- Crowding or spacing issues are often resolved before they become permanent problems.
Risks of Early Orthodontic Treatment.
There are also some risks involved with early orthodontic treatment. Your child’s teeth may move back to their original position or not move at all. The risk of moving in a different direction is also present, but it’s uncommon and can usually be corrected with further adjustments to the braces.
Early Treatment is Beneficial, But You Must Weigh Its Risks & Benefits Before Deciding.
There are many benefits to early orthodontic treatment. For example, early treatment can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease by improving your child’s oral hygiene habits. Early treatment can also improve your child’s self-esteem by improving their smile, which is especially important during adolescence when they may be more self-conscious about their appearance.
Early treatment can also help prevent jaw problems in adulthood, such as TMJ disorder (a condition involving jaw pain) or permanent damage to the joints in their jaws as they grow older. Finally, early treatment can help prevent orthodontic problems in adulthood, such as crooked teeth due to poor growth patterns that were not corrected during childhood.
Conclusion
Early orthodontic treatment is beneficial, but you must weigh its risks and benefits before deciding. If you have questions about whether or not early treatment is right for your child, please get in touch with us today! We will help you make an informed decision on the best course of action for your family.