How early is too early when it comes to getting braces? Braces are definitely an effective method of straightening teeth for patients of all ages but the Australian Society of Orthodontists recommend having your children come in for an assessment between the ages of 8 and 10 at the very earliest to evaluate their smile and see if they could benefit from early intervention orthodontics.
Early intervention orthodontics helps track down issues in your child’s smile before they become actual issues! When a child is between 8-10 years of age, their teeth and jaws are much easier to manipulate, making it far easier to use non-invasive orthodontic solutions to treat a variety of budding problems like crooked/crowded teeth, uneven spacing, protruding teeth etc.
While your children should definitely be visiting the dentist every 6 months for a regular checkup, we recommend coming in for a professional assessment if your child displays any of the below signs during the ages of 7 to 10:
Early/late/irregular loss of baby teeth Mouth breathing Difficulty chewing/biting Protruding teeth Crooked/crowded teeth Grinding/clenching of teeth Jaws & teeth that seem disproportionate to your child’s face
By the end of their teen years, most children’s jawbones will harden and stop growing. Due to this reason, early intervention received during the age of 8-10 works far more effectively and faster, and reduces the need for orthodontics as an adult! Through early intervention and the right treatment plan, we can help:
Guide jaw growth Correct harmful oral habits Improve the appearance of teeth Guide permanent teeth into a straighter, healthier position Lower the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
Did you know genetics only play a partial role in how your jaws develop? Dental injuries and unhealthy oral habits like thumb sucking, improper swallowing and mouth breathing can also affect your child’s facial growth. So, during your child’s dental assessment we make a conscious effort to understand their complete lifestyle before coming up with a well-rounded treatment plan.
During the assessment, our dentist will typically examine your child’s first permanent molars (flat teeth found towards the back of the mouth) in order to check for any developing problems with their bite. They will also examine other teeth for potential signs of crowding, crossbites, open bites etc. An x-ray may be taken to better understand how your child’s teeth will develop in the long-term. Upon completion of the assessment, we should be able to devise a course of treatment for what lies in the future.
Treatment in these early stages can take on many forms. Our dentist may recommend a fixed or removable appliance that will guide teeth gently into place. Sometimes, no appliance will be necessary but proper oral habits will be taught for parents to follow up on. On rare occasions, we may recommend removing some baby teeth in order to help the permanent teeth erupt better.
Bringing your child in early for checkups helps them become familiar with their dentist and ease any anxiety they may have when it comes to future visits. At Purity Dental, we have a team of family-friendly and compassionate dental professionals who are great at what they do. Your child’s oral health couldn’t be in safer and gentler hands. Lay the foundation today for your child’s healthy and beautiful smile. Contact our team at Purity Dental for an appointment.
