How Soon Should I Bring My Child to the Orthodontist?

The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends all children see an orthodontist by the age of seven or eight. That’s because, at this time, your child will have their first permanent molars which establish the back bite.

During the appointment, your orthodontist will look at the side-to-side and front-to-back tooth relationships. While early orthodontic treatment has become more prevalent in recent years, that doesn’t mean your child will leave their first appointment in braces.

The Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment

Our orthodontists always carefully consider the pros and cons of early orthodontic treatment. For cases where the benefits outnumber the cons, we may recommend treatment. When interceptive orthodontic treatment is the best course of action, the benefits are significant. These may include:

• Making space to alleviate severe crowding
• Directing jaw growth and creating facial symmetry
• Reducing the risk of injury by shifting protruding teeth into their correct places
• Making sufficient room for the permanent teeth to erupt
• Reducing the need for permanent tooth extractions
• Decreasing the duration of orthodontic treatment in the teenage years or adulthood
• Boosting self-esteem and confidence
• Minimizing the likelihood that surgery will be necessary down the road
• Stopping habits like thumb sucking and tongue thrusting before they cause damage
• Improving the child’s airways
• Reducing the potential of sleep apnoea in children
• Providing a broader dental arch and helping provide a more beautiful smile in adulthood

A Conservative Approach to Orthodontic Treatment

At MP Orthodontics, our orthodontists prefer a conservative approach with minimal treatment for young patients. Generally speaking, we can get outstanding results without two-phase orthodontic treatment. However, there are times when stepping in early can prevent the need for more extensive treatment. Depending on the severity of orthodontic misalignment, early treatment may prevent the need for surgical correction later in life.

Stages of Early Orthodontic Treatment

Early orthodontic treatment may begin when your child still has some baby teeth. It doesn’t always mean a full set of braces for your child.

Phase 1 may involve orthodontic appliances that gently create space to minimise crowding. Appliances such as retainers can also guide teeth into more favourable positions. This approach lays the foundations for treatment once your child’s adult teeth erupt.

Phase 2 may include the more traditional orthodontic treatments such as braces or clear aligners. For children who undergo early treatment, treatment is generally simpler or shorter in duration.

Early orthodontic treatment may not be appropriate for all children. If you think your child may need early orthodontic treatment, call us to make an appointment and we’ll discuss the best way forward.

Correcting Bite Problems

Early orthodontic treatment is effective at treating malocclusion (misaligned bites) and promoting better dental health. By correcting orthodontic issues early, your child’s mouth and teeth are given the opportunity to develop properly.

Bite problems are much easier and quicker to treat at an early age. Prior to adolescence, your child’s facial bones and soft tissues are still developing and can be guided into optimal alignment more easily.

Maintaining Your Child’s Oral Health

Crooked, crowded and misaligned teeth can make effective oral hygiene difficult. Hard-to-reach places can be more difficult to clean allowing plaque-causing bacteria can accumulate. This can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental issues.

Correcting the alignment of your child’s teeth can make teeth cleaning easier. It will also help them avoid any preventable dental problems in the future.

Saving time and money

Assessing your child’s orthodontic health early may save you time and money. Generally speaking, untreated orthodontic issues are more likely to take longer to treat as an adult. The more complex the treatment longer duration typically results in increased treatment costs.

Early diagnosis of any orthodontic issues will allow you to prepare for any treatment without rushing. From careful assessment, and treatment planning to getting a second opinion. Our orthodontists find parents with children undergoing early treatment appreciate having time on their side.

Helping reduce or correct speech problems

A bad bite or misaligned teeth can cause a lisp or other speech impediments. Correcting these issues during the early years can help prevent or alleviate these problems and give your child the confidence to speak and interact with others.

Conclusion

We appreciate that the prospect of early orthodontic treatment may seem daunting for many parents. By getting in touch with your trusted orthodontist, you can discuss your child’s dental health and ensure you are giving them the best chance of a healthy smile.

To book an appointment for your child, get in touch with our team today. One of our experienced orthodontists will take the time to explain any concerns and the various solutions available. We can also help you with a second opinion.

MP Orthodontics is an orthodontic practice based in Cheltenham, Melbourne. Working from the belief that orthodontic treatment is much more than working with teeth and creating smiles, treating orthodontists – Dr Martin Poon and Dr Geoff Hall – approach patients as people first. Their approach is to work together and plan and implement treatment that meets each individual’s needs. Drawing on 30 plus years experience of helping children gain confidence through tailored treatment, MP Orthodontics, is a truly unique orthodontic practice.