Pediatric orthodontist is much more than just achieving straight teeth for your children. Many parents wonder at what age should their child see an orthodontist. Are there signs that your child needs to have the teeth evaluated? While there is not a set time to see an orthodontist, there are some guidelines that can help when it comes to pediatric orthodontics.
It may surprise you how many children have some level of crowded teeth or incorrectly developed jaws. Parents tend to notice these issues quite early. If you notice your child have any issues regarding biting or chewing, they may have to see an orthodontist about teeth alignment.
The same goes for any speaking issues as well. This may be a clear sign that your child has some teeth protruding, crowded or misplaced. Keep in mind that most of these issues are easily spotted during a dental examination. As long as your children see the dentist once every six months, you will know when to seek treatment.
Failure to see a pediatric orthodontist when these issues arise can cause some facial irregularities. Teeth and jaw alignment can affect the cheekbones and lead to bad habits like breathing from the mouth.
The earlier an orthodontist sees an issue, the faster they can begin a reliable treatment method. The American Academy of Orthodontics recommends that children see an orthodontist by the age of six or seven. This is around the prime age for teeth development. A pediatric orthodontist can catch your child’s overbite or underbite quite easily at this time. Since the jaws are still growing, the orthodontist can adjust them to prevent long-term harm. If your child does not receive an adjustment like this, they might need surgery as an adult.
The orthodontist may also use space maintainers to preserve your child’s smile. If a child loses a baby tooth, the nearby teeth might fill the gap. This will cause the adult teeth to grow in the wrong spot. For this reason, a space maintainer will keep the location of the lost tooth open to allow proper growth.
If your child already has their adult teeth, there are still treatment options available. Metal braces, clear ceramic braces, and Invisalign are some of the most popular treatment options for those who have issues with their adult teeth. Each of these procedures serves to reposition the teeth and correct poor jaw alignment.
Regardless of the age of your child, there are always orthodontic treatments available. From preventing the primary teeth from shifting to correct an incorrect bite, pediatric orthodontics is here to help. Correcting issues at a young age will improve your child’s smile and help you avoid more invasive or expensive procedures.
If you notice something off about your child’s smile or if a dentist recommends visiting an orthodontist, please call our office.
Are you considering pediatric orthodontics in the Laguna Hills area? Get more information at https://www.orangecoastortho.com.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Orthodontist in Laguna Hills, CA.
Looking for a braces specialist? Read on to learn more. You might be hesitant to see a braces specialist if you already see a general dentist regularly. In some cases, patients have an individual situation that requires consulting a specialist. Generally, these professionals have more experience in orthodontics and a consultation with them might make…
Ceramic braces can be a great alternative to traditional metal brackets. Clear ceramic braces are a popular choice for adults and older teens who want something less obvious than traditional braces but who still want the benefits of a fixed system. Knowing the benefits of this bracket system will allow you to determine if it…
Invisalign® is a modern teeth-straightening option that serves as an alternative to metal braces. Invisalign eliminates the need for brackets and wires; instead, it uses a series of clear plastic aligners to realign the teeth. Although lots of individuals are aware of the aesthetic advantages of Invisalign, like a straighter smile, there are also health…
An orthodontist spends their entire career helping people to feel confident with their smiles, so if you have searched for “orthodontist near me” and are faced with choices about whom to see, you should choose a professional who values your patronage and happiness.Orthodontists focus on how the teeth are aligned and the jaw's position and…
Looking for a braces specialist? Read on to learn more. You might be hesitant to see a braces specialist if you already see a general dentist regularly. In some cases, patients have an individual situation that requires consulting a specialist. Generally, these professionals have more experience in orthodontics and a consultation with them might make…
Ceramic braces can be a great alternative to traditional metal brackets. Clear ceramic braces are a popular choice for adults and older teens who want something less obvious than traditional braces but who still want the benefits of a fixed system. Knowing the benefits of this bracket system will allow you to determine if it…