Orthodontics When it comes to orthodontics, you probably automatically think of teenagers. You might also assume that a child does not need to see an orthodontist until all of the adult teeth have come in. That is not the case at all. Here at NC Pediatric Dentistry, we want you to know that orthodontics are not just for teenagers. Here is what you need to know.Orthodontics and Younger ChildrenAn orthodontist is for more than just braces. Sometimes we will recommend that children as young as seven years old see a specialist. When a child is seven or eight years old, certain problems can start to show. One major issue can be either an overbite or an underbite. These are problems that should be treated early, while a child's jaw is still forming. When a young child has a bite problem, it might not be that noticeable. As your child gets older, the overbite or underbite will just continue to get worse. It could eventually become noticeable, and it might also lead to pain. If the overbite or underbite is treated early by an orthodontist, your child will eventually have a healthy, pain-free bite. Another issue that an orthodontist will look for at an early age is crowding of the teeth. If the teeth are crowded, they will not come in correctly. This will lead to crooked teeth and other appearance issues. Taking care of a crowding problem at the age of seven could save your child from serious issues at an older age. Often orthodontic treatment for your child will be in two phases. The first phase will be when your child is somewhere between the ages of eight and 11 years old. The second phase will take place after the age of 12. Braces could be part of the treatment. There are many different options when it comes to braces and teenagers. They do not always mean that your child will end up with a smile filled with metal. There are other options that are less obvious, but they might cost a bit more. One thing needs to be mentioned about children and problems with the teeth that are coming in; thumb sucking can change the way that your child's teeth erupt. It can also change your child's bite. While thumb-sucking is not a big deal when a child is extremely young, it is a habit that needs to be broken eventually. The longer that you let it go, the worse the potential damage will be, and the harder the habit will be to break. If your child is around the age of seven, it could be time for him or her to see an orthodontist for the first time. Here at NC Pediatric Dentistry, we know that it sounds like that is a young age, but that is not the case. It is the perfect time to start to correct issues that will just get worse over time. Call NC Pediatric Dentistry to make an appointment or if you have questions that you need answers for. |
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