It’s every parent’s wish for their child to look and feel their best.
To this end, parents work hard to provide their kids with nutritious dietary options, nice clothes, and regular medical and dental care.
They know that when their child is healthy and confident, they’ll have a better opportunity to go after their dreams and accomplish their goals.
Something that can help is early orthodontic treatment for kids from a Carson orthodontist.
A properly aligned bite and healthy teeth can improve a child’s smile and make them feel more confident. It can also reduce their risk of developing TMJ disorder, tooth damage, and dental diseases.
But at what age should your child start orthodontic treatment?
According to the American Dental Association, a child’s first dental visit should occur:
Regarding a child’s first orthodontic evaluation, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a child see an orthodontist by age seven.
One of the reasons a child needs to visit their dental team so early is because it helps them get on the path to good oral health. The sooner we can do this, the better the chances are that a child will learn to understand the importance of oral health – something that will benefit them into adulthood.
Additionally, early visits can help your child’s dentist catch dental issues early and treat them when they’re easy to fix. When your dentist gets to know your child’s dentition and oral health needs, they are also in a better position to monitor their health and prevent or catch new issues early.
Visiting a Carson orthodontist by the age of seven (when their adult/permanent teeth start coming in) allows their treatment provider to address malocclusion issues in the earliest stages, when they’re easier to treat.
During your child’s first orthodontic visit, their orthodontist will be able to tell you:
It’s important to note that, while age seven is optimal for a child to see their orthodontist, it doesn’t mean an older child can’t receive treatment.
Your child’s orthodontist provides treatment to kids of all ages and even adults. While younger ages are optimal, nearly every patient is a good candidate for orthodontic treatment regardless of age.
We know the best age for an orthodontic evaluation, but what about orthodontic treatment?
Your child’s orthodontist can perform early orthodontic treatment with extractions and space maintainers right away.
Your child’s orthodontist will want to ensure their teeth and jaw are growing correctly before more adult teeth come into the mouth. If they can address issues early, they won’t have to take drastic measures or perform more complex orthodontic treatments as the child gets older.
Typically, the best age to start orthodontic treatment like braces is between age nine and 14, or before they hit puberty.
Treatment recommendations from your child’s orthodontist depend almost entirely on your child’s unique oral health and occlusion needs. If the child is older (late teens), their provider might also consider aesthetic needs.
Here are your Carson orthodontist’s options for orthodontic treatment for kids.
The option most people are familiar with when it comes to orthodontics is traditional metal braces. With this option, your child will have metal brackets bonded to the front of their teeth. Each bracket has a groove in which a thin, yet strong metal wire called an archwire sits. Small elastic bands hold the archwire in place.
Metal braces in Carson are the best option for patients with especially complex malocclusion issues. With traditional braces, the orthodontist can utilize other orthodontic appliances as well, such as:
These appliances can help widen the jaw or encourage forward or backward positioning (to reduce overbite or underbite).
Another option is ceramic braces in Carson. Ceramic braces are made of the same components as metal braces – the brackets, archwire, and elastic bands.
The difference is that the brackets are made of ceramic or porcelain. The archwire can be metal or a clear material, and the elastic bands can be clear, white, or any color your child desires.
Ceramic braces are an excellent option for patients who have complex cases but are concerned with aesthetics.
It is important to note that ceramic orthodontic treatment for kids can take a bit longer. While the ceramic brackets are strong, they can’t take the same level of force as metal brackets. Slowing the process can prevent the ceramic brackets from cracking, chipping, or breaking.
For older teens, Invisalign is a great option. The clear aligners fit over your child’s teeth, but they’re virtually invisible.
They’re also good for treating various malocclusion issues, though not seriously complex cases.
Your Carson orthodontist will likely not recommend Invisalign for younger children or those who may have difficulty wearing them all day.
Taking steps to improve your child’s oral health when they’re young can benefit them for a lifetime.
Brushing, flossing, regular dental visits, and early orthodontic treatment for kids can prevent dental diseases and damage that can cause pain, expense, and weak teeth down the road.
The better your child’s oral health, the better their overall health will be, too – not to mention the boost in confidence that results from having a healthy smile.
Talk to your child’s dentist and orthodontist in Carson to find out if your child is a good candidate for orthodontic treatment and to learn more about getting your child on the path to good oral health.
Are you ready to get started? Contact our team to schedule an orthodontic evaluation for your child.
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