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Are you worried that your child will need braces but you’re not sure when to take them to the orthodontist? We discuss when the right time to start orthodontic treatment is here.
If you’ve noticed that your child’s teeth are crooked, crowded, or gapped, you might be wondering if they need braces. It can be tricky to know the right age for orthodontics, and societal opinions can vary on whether or not kids need to lose all their baby teeth before taking their first trip to the orthodontist.
Orthodontics is an important part of protecting oral health, so knowing when to start your child’s orthodontia journey is vital to understand.
That’s why our team, led by orthodontist Farid Hanachi, DDS, PA, at Hanachi Orthodontics in Gastonia and Mooresville, North Carolina, wants to highlight when it’s appropriate for your child to get orthodontic treatment in this month’s blog.
What does orthodontic treatment entail?
Orthodontic treatment aims to realign or straighten teeth that are overcrowded, gapped, or crooked. Orthodontics can also correct bite problems (malocclusions), which are issues with how your child’s upper and lower teeth fit together. Common malocclusions include overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
When your child’s teeth are crooked or don’t fit together properly, oral health issues can arise, such as tooth decay, worn enamel, and problems with speech and chewing.
When should your child start orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is typically associated with older kids and teenagers, but the American Association of Orthodontics recommends that kids start seeing an orthodontist at age 7.
By this time, your child has a mixture of baby and adult teeth, and any signs of future dental problems are usually apparent. An orthodontic professional like Dr. Hanachi can then recommend the kind of treatment they’ll need and when to start.
The average age to begin orthodontic treatment is around 10-14 years old. This allows most of your child’s permanent teeth to come in and their jaw to grow and form as much as possible.
Signs your child may need early orthodontic treatment
Although most kids don’t start orthodontics until age 10, sometimes earlier intervention is needed. Don’t hesitate to bring your child to our office even before age 7 if you notice any of the following issues:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Pain while chewing or biting
- Jaw clicking
- Mouth breathing
- Facial imbalances
Any one of these things can indicate that early orthodontic treatment is needed. If treatment is delayed, injury or more serious issues could arise that could be far more difficult to reverse later.
When in doubt, it’s never a bad idea to bring your child in to be evaluated for orthodontic care by our team. We can examine your child’s teeth and jaw to determine if or when your child needs treatment.
To schedule an appointment, simply call your nearest office location or use our online booking feature today.