3 Benefits of Early Orthodontic Care

When is the right time to start orthodontic care? There isn’t a single answer that perfectly suits everyone, but the general recommendation is that children see an orthodontist around age 7. At this age, children usually have a mix of primary and permanent teeth, allowing the orthodontist to offer treatments that realize the benefits of early orthodontic care.

Guide Jaw Growth

Sometimes the jaw doesn’t grow quite proportionately to the rest of the face. Even if the proportions are more or less correct, the alignment of the jaw may be off. Either case can cause problems for your child’s teeth. Fortunately, early orthodontic care can guide the jaw so it grows in proper alignment, size, and dimension. Headgear is commonly used for this purpose. It applies pressure to the upper jaw and teeth to guide and correct jaw growth, as well as properly align the upper teeth.

Create Appropriate Space for Teeth

Not everyone has the necessary space to fit all of their teeth in their mouths. Guiding jaw growth through early orthodontic care is one option that can help shape the jaw to create more room. Alternatively, the best option may be to remove one or more teeth so there is the right number of teeth for the amount of space available in your child’s mouth. That may seem like an unappealing option to some, but it’s a far better option than having crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth.

Correct Minor Speech Problems

Does your child have a minor speech problem? If so, early orthodontic care may help. Some speech problems are caused by teeth not being properly aligned or by the jaw being improperly aligned. The lower jaw being out of proportion with the rest of the face could also be part of the problem. Seeking early orthodontic care may allow the orthodontist to correct the issue causing the speech problem, saving your child from being self-conscious about how they sound when they talk.

Early orthodontic care promotes optimal outcomes with relatively minimal intervention. Bringing your child in for early orthodontic care allows the orthodontist to get a feel for what problems may be present and how to best correct them. Early care also allows you to take advantage of the superior malleability and more rapid healing that is more common during youth. Finishing treatments sooner is something both you and your child will appreciate.

Are you ready to start your child’s orthodontic care? Click here to contact Maccaro Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry today!