From a young age, you might have noticed a few crooked teeth in your child’s mouth or a noticeable overbite. Even while your child still has some baby teeth left, you could be wondering when the best time for them to get braces is. Braces are a long term commitment for you and your child and can become a big expense, so you want to be sure you’re getting them started at the right time.
Your child’s orthodontist is ultimately the person who will decide if braces are needed, but you might wonder when the appropriate time for an appointment to is. The time a child needs braces varies from child to child, but there are some things to take into consideration to know when to take action. And when you want to take action, schedule an appointment at https://www.theuniondental.
Your child might have noticeable issues.
For some children, it might be apparent early on that it’s likely they’ll end up with braces. Many factors could have helped influence this. If you or your spouse needed braces, it’s possible you could have passed it onto your child. Thumb sucking or excessively using a pacifier can affect the developmental growth of teeth in a young child and can be lifelong if not corrected. If this sounds like your child, or if they have crooked, protruding teeth or difficulty eating and breathing, they could benefit from a trip to their orthodontist in Clarks Summit, PA.
Have an early assessment done.
If it seems like your child might have a problem that could require more immediate action, consider having an early assessment if their teeth done by an orthodontist. You can arrange an assessment when they’re around seven-years-old. Some issues might be fixed faster and more efficiently while children are younger and their jaws bones are still soft. Treatment at a younger age is best for children who have issues with their jaw structure as its easier to change at a younger age. Although they might not be able to perform any procedures until they’re older, they could benefit from learning good oral hygiene for issues like overcrowding until they’re ready for braces. If they do need braces at a later age, an early assessment can give your orthodontist a better idea of the treatment plan they’ll need
Wait until they have some permanent teeth.
Most likely, your child’s orthodontist will recommend waiting until they’re around 10 to 14. At these ages, children have more permanent teeth coming in, and it will be easier for their teeth to adjust as their mouths are still growing. Waiting until the preteen and early teen years also gives their teeth a chance to correct themselves. As your child’s facial structure changes as it grows, it might give room for teeth to grow in correctly. Many orthodontists prefer a mixture of baby and permanent teeth when putting braces on a child. If the problems are severe, letting all of the baby teeth stay crooked can end up worsening problems for permanent teeth to come in, so fixing some baby teeth early on can help them in the long run.
Leave a Reply