The importance of early orthodontic treatment for children
Some parents want to know how soon to take their kids to a dental office and whether those early appointments are important. Aside from establishing proper dental hygiene, these appointments can identify current and future issues, allowing your provider to correct them before those problems become larger. This may involve a referral to an orthodontist.
Early orthodontist treatment can correct or prevent a variety of conditions, including correcting bad habits such as sucking the thumb, which can impact how teeth grow. An orthodontist can also help correct overbite, underbite, or crossbites, which can make cause pain and other difficulties. Early treatments can prevent teeth from growing in crooked or overcrowding.
When your child's dental problems are corrected, they can smile without feeling self-conscious. Dental problems often wreak havoc on a person's confidence, and it can be exhausting to cover up the things that make us feel insecure.
Plus, correcting these issues can prevent damage that they would cause that might later require expensive and complicated dentistry. Even the likelihood of gum disease can be decreased with early orthodontic treatment.
Should You Schedule An Orthodontist Appointment for Your Child?
An early orthodontist appointment may be appropriate if your child:
- Loses baby teeth before age five
- Struggles to eat or chew
- Breathes through their mouth or snores
- Sucks their thumb after schoolage
- Has a speech impediment
- Experiences a shifting jaw when opening their mouth
- Has teeth that come together abnormally
Some of these signs may not be easily detected during an appointment, which is why parents should keep an eye out and schedule an appointment with an orthodontist if any of the above apply.
Early orthodontist care can start as young as age seven.
If your child needs dental care, book an appointment with Your Dental office in Toronto today. We're ready to provide treatment that can improve your child's life.