Orthodontic treatment is pretty common in children. About 3.7 million American children and teenagers wear braces. So when your child’s permanent teeth begin to come in a little crookedly, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that they’ll need braces. However, your little one may need them much sooner than you think! In fact, fitting them with pediatric braces while they still have some baby teeth can save you time, money and the need for complex treatments later. Here’s what you need to know about pediatric orthodontics and how to tell if your child could benefit from them.
When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?
While trips to the orthodontist are commonly associated with teenagers, the truth is that they should start much earlier in life. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children get their first orthodontic treatment before they turn seven, regardless of how crooked their teeth are. By this age, some of the baby teeth have fallen out, but not all of them.
An orthodontist can take a look at this stage of your child’s oral development to get a clearer idea of how their teeth, jaws, and mouth as a whole are growing and predict whether they’ll need orthodontic treatment in the future. Most minor to moderate problems can be delt with effective in several years’ time. However, if there are early warning signs of serious orthodontic issues, it may be best to treat them early with pediatric orthodontics.
What Is Pediatric Orthodontics?
Like any health issue, the earlier orthodontic problems are detected, the easier they are to treat successfully. Pediatric orthodontics aim to help protect children from long-term consequences of misaligned teeth, uneven bites, and non-nutritive habits. Depending on your child’s unique needs, your orthodontist may recommend a headgear, expansion appliance, or a space maintainer.
Phase 1 Orthodontics is considered a “problem-focused treatment.” This type of pediatric orthodontics can use a single appliance or limited braces to intercept major problems in the mouth. Treatment can take as little as six months or as long as 18 months, with an average timeline of about 12 months.
Does My Child Need Pediatric Orthodontics?
Not every child who will need braces needs pediatric orthodontics. The only way to know for sure if your little one needs this service is to bring them in for their orthodontic checkup by the time they’re seven years old. You should schedule an appointment with your orthodontist right away to determine if your child needs pediatric orthodontics if you are concerned about your child’s:
- Crooked or crowded teeth
- Teeth that stick out
- Gaps between teeth
- Difficulty speaking clearly or chewing properly
- Overaggressive thumb- or finger-sucking
- Jaw position or shape.
Your little one’s smile is precious, so make sure it’s off to a good start! Make sure to bring them in for their first orthodontic checkup early so any issues can be addressed as quickly as possible.
About the Practice
At Milton Orthodontics, we want to make it simple for the families of Milton to achieve the happy, healthy and beautiful smiles they deserve. That’s why we offer a wide range of different types of orthodontic treatments for every unique patient and stage of life, from traditional braces, to Invisalign, to pediatric orthodontics. If it’s time for your child’s first orthodontic checkup or if you’d like to see if pediatric braces are right for them, we encourage you to schedule and appointment and our friendly, highly experienced team will be more than happy to help. To learn more, we can be contacted via our website or at (617) 698-8883.