Early Orthodontic Treatment

Early orthodontic treatment can greatly improve your child’s oral health. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, your child should come in to see us by age 7. Why so young? When bite and spacing issues are caught early, we can set your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

So, what is early orthodontic treatment and does your child need it? We’ve compiled a few benefits below.

Preventative Treatment

When you think of orthodontic treatment, you may assume that it involves braces. During early treatment, also called Phase I treatment, braces are rarely the first option. At age 7, children have lost many of their baby teeth and have already started developing adult teeth. This means that it’s easier for us to identify problem areas early on before they become serious issues.

When you bring your child in for their first visit, we will evaluate their teeth and alignment to check for any abnormalities. At this visit, we can determine whether your child’s teeth will correct themselves as more adult teeth erupt and when the best time may be for your child to start treatment. Many children don’t get braces until around the ages of 9 and 13.

Correcting Bad Habits

When children suck their thumbs for too long or can’t give up the pacifier, it can severely affect their bite. When caught early enough, we can give you tips to stop your child’s bad habits and correct potential bite issues that may worsen later in life.

Time and Cost Savings

If left untreated, many minor issues can develop into severe orthodontic problems. When this happens, your child may have trouble eating and speaking properly. Simply scheduling an appointment for your child now can reduce the chance of needing more invasive treatment, like surgery and extractions, later. This can save you months—and even years—of treatment time as well as thousands of dollars.

If your child is at least 7 years old, request an appointment today! We look forward to giving your child a beautiful smile for life.