There isn’t a specific age at which children should start undergoing orthodontic treatment. However at around seven years old, your child will have grown out enough permanent teeth and the jaw is developed enough to tell if there are any current issues... or any on the horizon.
There are many benefits to getting orthodontic treatment as a child, including shorter treatment time, fewer impacted permanent teeth and reduced chance of needing to remove teeth because we:
- Guide teeth into desired positions early
- Minimize crowding/creating room for erupting teeth
- Guide jaw growth
- Correct the results of oral habits like thumb and finger sucking
Are there any signs I should look for?
Yes, definitely! Here are some of the signs to keep in mind:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting into food
- Grinding and/or clenching of teeth
- Mouth breathing
- Speech difficulties
- Thumb or other finger sucking habit
- Crowding, misplacement, or blocking of teeth
- Jaw shifts or jaw noises like popping
- Protruding of teeth
- Biting the inside of his or her cheek
- Teeth meet abnormally or do not meet at all
- Jaw and teeth do not appear to be proportionate to the face
Keep in mind that these signs do not guarantee that your child needs treatment, but they may indicate that an orthodontic evaluation may be a good idea.
Do some of these signs look familiar to you?
Have no fear, your child will be in good hands! Dr. Loveless uses the latest technology and stays up to date on the newest trends in orthodontics so that all of his patients can achieve their dream smiles.
Think your child may need an orthodontic evaluation?
Dr. Loveless’ passion for orthodontics stems from “being able to witness a person’s change in self-confidence from the creation of a beautiful smile they are proud to show the world!” Early treatment can help give your child that healthy, beautiful smile for more self esteem as they go through their teenage years and through adulthood.
Click below or call us at (507) 451-5993 to schedule a complimentary consultation. We can’t wait to meet you and your child!
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