Orthodontics: Reasons to Start Treatment Early

A pleasant appearance is important to people of all ages. Crooked teeth or an obvious over bite or under bite can erode self-confidence and discourage people from smiling, eating or speaking in public. There are ways to treat these dental imperfections so taking your child to the orthodontist as early as age six will provide a plan for treatment as to whether orthodontic care is needed and when it is best to get the program underway.

If braces are warranted, your orthodontist will take photographs, x-rays and dental impressions as a tool for diagnostics and proposed care.

All permanent teeth do not need to have emerged in order to enter into the teeth straightening process. Your orthodontist will be able to envision which teeth are creating problems, and whether or not it is necessary to extract any teeth to successfully correct the malocclusion.

Children have not yet achieved their oral bone maturity making needed corrections easier to complete. As the teeth are shifted to their correct position, the bones in the jaw and gum tissue that are still growing and forming are more easily maneuvered into place.

Once orthodontic treatment has been completed, the child will likely be asked to wear a retainer for an extended period so teeth can develop a memory of where they belong. As the child ages, and bones in the jaw are maturing, the likelihood of maintaining a correct bite is enhanced with following this instruction.

What problems can occur if teeth straightening is delayed? Crooked teeth are more than just an aesthetic issue. Areas of the mouth can be difficult to reach with a tooth brush or dental floss making these surfaces more prone to plaque build-up. This leads to the potential for dental decay or gum disease.

A malocclusion can lead to bite difficulties. With an incorrect bite alignment, teeth slide off each other instead of making proper contact when chewing. This can lead to grinding and clenching, which can ultimately result in enamel reduction, cracked or broken teeth, decay, or jaw abnormalities like TMJ.

So in addition to a smile makeover, correcting the dental bite is a preventative measure for multiple problems that can occur.

Daily brushing and flossing along with seeing your regular dentist throughout orthodontic treatment is also needed to maintain good oral health.