The importance of early orthodontic screening
It’s a question we’re often asked: “When should my child begin orthodontic treatment?” And even though Dr Teakle and the Wickham Terrace Dental team can correct your child’s (or your!) smile at any age, there is an ideal time to begin orthodontics treatment.
We recommend that you bring your child in for an initial orthodontic evaluation with us, either at the first sign of orthodontic problems, or no later than the age of 7.
Even though your child may not need orthodontic treatment at this early age, it’s still a great idea to have this assessment. This can either give you the “all clear”, or help us to together decide on the best time to begin orthodontic treatment.
If your child does need orthodontics, starting at this age can help ensure the best result for their oral health, with the least amount of time and expense.
Why get an early orthodontic evaluation for your child?
With an early evaluation, we can detect any problems with your kids’ teeth in their early stages, making it much easier to treat them effectively.
With early intervention, Dr Teakle can help guide the growth and development of your child’s teeth and jaw, preventing serious problems later. It may also be possible to tell whether there is adequate room in your child’s mouth for all of their permanent teeth – and if there isn’t, to plan the most appropriate treatment plan.
When should your kids have an orthodontic screening?
Your child’s first adult molars will usually begin to erupt at around age 7, establishing their back bite. This is the perfect time for a dentist to check your child’s “front-to-back” and “side-to-side” tooth relationships.
For example, Dr Teakle may detect erupting incisors, which can be a pointer to a possible open bite, overbite, crowded teeth, or a gummy smile. Thanks to this early detection, we have a better chance of ensuring your child grows up with a beautiful, healthy smile.
What are the advantages of interceptive orthodontics?
With interceptive treatment for your child at an early age, we can:
- Create room for crowded, erupting teeth
- Influence jaw growth to create facial symmetry
- Reduce the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
- Preserve space in the jaw for unerupted teeth
- Reduce the need for tooth removal
- Reduce your child’s overall treatment time with braces
Could your child benefit from orthodontic treatment?
Of course, orthodontics are not just for giving your child a more beautiful smile. Orthodontic treatment can improve a misaligned or ‘bad’ bite (called a malocclusion). If your kids’ teeth or jaw are misaligned, the resulting malocclusion can affect the way they smile, chew, clean their teeth, and naturally, how they feel about displaying their smile to the world.
If this is the case for your child, early or ‘interceptive’ orthodontic treatment can be a very effective way to improve the alignment of their teeth and jaw, and overcome their malocclusion.
Do my child’s misaligned teeth really need treatment?
Most probably, yes. Recent studies have shown that untreated malocclusions can cause a variety of oral health problems.
For example, crowded teeth are more difficult to clean properly with brushing and flossing, which can result in tooth decay, gum disease, or both. Protruding teeth can be damaged and chipped more easily. A cross bite can cause increased tooth wear or improper jaw growth. And an open bite can result in speech impediments or tongue-thrusting habits.
These are all good reasons to bring your child to Wickham Terrace Dental for an early orthodontic evaluation. With the right orthodontic treatment, we can do more than simply create a more attractive smile – we can also ensure better oral health for your children.
To discuss your children’s dental health and find out more about orthodontics, call Wickham Terrace Dental on 07 3831 3031 or book an appointment online today.