Are you considering early orthodontic treatment for your child? When we speak about “early” treatment or “interceptive” treatment, we are referring to treatment that is performed while baby teeth are still present in the mouth. The Canadian Association of Orthodontists suggests children seek orthodontic treatment around the age of seven.
Why You Should Visit Your Orthodontist in NE Calgary
In stage one of early orthodontic treatment, issues like underbites and the jaw’s growth pattern are corrected. Interceptive treatment can also create adequate space in the mouth for permanent (adult) teeth to properly erupt without becoming crowded or requiring extraction. A primary benefit of early orthodontic treatment is that your child’s jaw and bones are malleable, which means family braces in NE Calgary will work quicker. Delaying treatment until all adult teeth have come in or until facial growth is virtually complete may make problems more difficult to correct.
There are several other benefits, these include:
The correction of habits such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting which can cause development problems later on in life.
- Reduced risk of damage to protruding teeth by adequately aligning them.
- Improves your child’s appearance and self-confidence.
- Reduced risk of tooth decay and gum disease caused by crowded teeth and bite problems.
- Improves facial symmetry by straightening crooked and misaligned teeth.
- Resolves speech obstruction by correcting top teeth that overlap the bottom teeth (overbite).
How to Determine If Your Child Requires Early Orthodontic Treatment
To determine if your child requires early orthodontic treatment, consult with your orthodontist in NE Calgary. Read the following characteristics and take note if your child exhibits:
- Loss of baby teeth before age five
- Loss of baby teeth after age five to six
- Teeth that meet abnormally
- Breathing through the mouth
- Crowded front teeth
- Teeth that protrude in the front
- Chewing or biting difficulties
- A speech impediment
- Thumb sucking