The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends kids to have an initial orthodontic evaluation around the age of 6 or 7. However, this doesn’t mean they will get braces or other orthodontic treatment immediately, it only allows your orthodontist to evaluate your child’s teeth in order to determine the best treatment plan for them.
Many people don’t realize that oral health care goes beyond just brushing and flossing on a regular basis. Especially for your kids, orthodontic care may be crucial for your child’s oral health.
Kids may need orthodontic treatment for a variety of reasons including building confidence with a perfect smile, creating a healthy bite, straightening teeth that are not properly situated in the jaw, and proper orthodontic care may even help prevent heart disease. As it is such an important part of your child’s health, we recommend finding a local orthodontist for an initial consultation at age 6-7, or at any age after.
Achieve Straight Teeth
Early orthodontic treatment, while your child’s jaw and bone structure are still developing, helps prevent overcrowding of the teeth. On-going care will not only help your child get straight teeth but it will help your child speak clearly and chew better, as it helps correct and guide proper jaw alignment.
Prevent Tooth Decay
Overlapping, crooked, and crowded teeth make brushing and flossing more difficult. It becomes hard to reach some of the teeth surfaces in order to clean them. Braces or other orthodontic options will help straighten and move teeth into alignment, which may decrease the risk of developing cavities and other oral health issues, if proper care and cleaning routines are followed.
Prevent Other Health Problems
Misaligned teeth can cause a broad range of problems such as headaches, earaches, sleep disorders and even heart disease. For instance, incorrect jaw alignment can cause headaches, or overcrowding of the teeth may block the flow of air when your child is sleeping—leading to sleep disorders. Orthodontic treatment can help to fix issues with alignment in such a way that helps guide correct body function.
Boost Self-esteem and Confidence
Orthodontic treatment can even improve your child’s self-esteem and confidence. A great smile can help prevent bullying due to appearance, and boost self-assurance. An attractive and confident smile will lead your child to experience more favorable outcomes in their educational and social endeavors as it will help them make a good first impression. This is especially helpful for eventual job search.
To learn more about orthodontic care, find and schedule an initial consultation with one of our local orthodontic specialists.