3 Signs Your Child Needs to See an Orthodontist

Children as young as 10 years old can benefit from seeing an orthodontist for an evaluation. In fact, orthodontic treatment at a young age is often more beneficial than putting off treatment. Many parents understand this. However, noticing the early signs that your child should see an orthodontist is not always easy.

Understanding orthodontics for children

Orthodontics for children, referred to as Phase I orthodontics, is recommended when an immediate orthodontic problem in a young child requires treatment. Children with severe jaw or tooth issues are good candidates for this treatment. Such orthodontic issues may include crossbites, underbites, severe overbites, jaw growth discrepancies, crowding, flared upper teeth, and spacing issues.

While some orthodontic issues may result from genetics, others may be due to injuries, early or late baby tooth loss, or habits, such as thumb sucking. Children who receive phase I orthodontics can benefit from proper teeth and jaw growth and a strong foundation for permanent teeth eruption. Early orthodontic treatment can lower the risk of speech problems, periodontal diseases, cavities, and oral injuries.

When to visit an orthodontist

By knowing when it is time to have a child visit the orthodontist, a parent can ensure the child gets the treatment needed at an early age. The fact is that children with a more appealing and healthy smile often feel and function better. Also, children can prevent oral health complications more effectively. The following are three common signs that indicate orthodontic treatment might be necessary or strongly encouraged.

Cosmetic concerns

The first and most obvious indicator that a child should visit an orthodontist for a consultation is if there are any cosmetic complications. In other words, if a child has a less-than-ideal smile, then visiting an orthodontist might be a good idea. Children or their parents might choose to seek orthodontic care if the child has any of the following cosmetic complications:

• Crooked teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Teeth gaps
• Bite complications

Having a great smile often helps children feel more comfortable in social situations, which can have a huge impact on their development.

Functional issues

There are many instances where teeth or jaw misalignment causes everyday functional issues for the child, such as difficulty chewing or a speech complication. When this occurs, it simply makes life more difficult and might cause the child to feel more insecure. When teeth are improperly aligned, or the child has a misaligned jaw, they may have difficulty saying certain words or find it awkward while eating. In many instances, the solution to this issue is simple, and the functional complications are easily fixed through orthodontic treatment methods such as braces or clear aligners treatment.

Jaw misalignment

A common mistake made by parents is focusing solely on the alignment of the child’s teeth, but jaw misalignments are a strong indicator that orthodontic treatment might be necessary as well. In many instances, teeth and jaw misalignment go hand in hand, and addressing one concern often means fixing the other as well. However, there are occasions where jaw alignment is more of an issue than the teeth, and it can lead to issues such as teeth grinding, cosmetic complications, and increased risk of cavities. There are various treatment options for children with jaw misalignments. These include teeth straightening and the use of elastics during traditional braces treatment.

Orthodontic treatments for Phase I patients

Patients may receive a combination of brackets and wires, palatal expanders, and space maintainers during phase I orthodontic treatment. The appliance used will depend on each patient and their needs. Palatal expanders are the most common early orthodontic treatment. They can correct crowding problems, make room for erupting adult teeth, correct skeletal issues like crossbites, and increase the nasal capacity for better breathing.

Space maintainers help manage premature baby tooth loss and prevent teeth misalignment, overcrowding, and other orthodontic conditions. Some children may also benefit from partial braces on their upper or lower front teeth to provide early minor correction for crossbites, crowded teeth, and spacing issues.

Talk to an orthodontist about treatment options

There are various treatment options available to children with all kinds of malocclusions. These can include traditional braces, lingual braces, and clear aligners treatment. If you are interested in scheduling an initial consultation for your child, then give your orthodontist a call today. At a kid-friendly orthodontist’s office, your children will feel comfortable during the visits. Your orthodontist can answer any questions you might have, so feel free to reach out at any time. Call our office at {{PHONE}} to learn more or schedule a consultation visit.

Request an appointment here: https://www.pricefamilyortho.com or call Price Family Orthodontics at (972) 528-5519 for an appointment in our Frisco office.

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