Parents are commonly concerned about the safety of dental procedures for their children. Early orthodontic treatment is often needed when the child with baby teeth is at risk of misalignment, overcrowding, and crooked teeth. If you are a worried parent, it’s important to know the early orthodontic treatment pros and cons and why your child needs it.
What is Early Orthodontic Treatment
Early orthodontic refers to the treatment that your child receives to fix their baby teeth. It could start at age seven until their teenage years or until the desired results are achieved. Pediatric dentists use advanced tools and technology to ensure that a child’s teeth grow properly. They guide not only the development of the teeth but of the facial growth as well as the width of upper and lower dental arches.
The treatment is also used to guarantee that the permanent teeth which your child will get before their teenage years will emerge correctly. Braces are not always the best solution for kids with baby teeth, oftentimes, appliances like palatal expanders are used to achieve certain goals before the placement of dental braces.
Why would children need early orthodontic treatment? The following dental issues commonly require orthodontic assessment. But keep in mind that orthodontic treatments are not always necessary despite the teeth problem.
- Losing a primary tooth due to tooth decay or injuries.
- Trouble in speaking correctly as well as biting and chewing issues.
- Misaligned or overcrowded teeth.
- Front teeth are sticking out.
- Serious issues with overbite, underbite, and crossbite.
- Upper and lower teeth are not making contact when the mouth is closed.
- Narrow jaw.
It is important to remember that not all child needs early orthodontic treatment. Yes, even though they are manifesting the dental issues mentioned above. If their condition is not severe and the functions of their not thoroughly affected, non-invasive treatments might be recommended. However, if braces are necessary, they might wait for the right time until your child is ready for a dental appliance.
Early Orthodontic Treatment Pros And Cons
To help you further, here are the benefits that your child might get with early orthodontic treatment.
Generally, early treatments for your child’s teeth can be very beneficial for them in many ways. It protects your child from unpleasant irreversible damages. To keep things simple, damages to misaligned and untreated teeth due to accidents could be more severe and crucial than the damages in healthy and straight teeth. Teeth that are damaged receive more pressure which results in worse injuries.
Apart from this, healthy teeth and a smile also promote confidence and self-esteem. It allows them to be more confident about themselves. This is very important especially during their growing up years as it will be the foundation of their relationship with people outside your home. If your child is confident, they will smile more often, this results in great friendly relationships which are fundamental in the development of their mental health.
Other pros:
- Prevents overcrowding of permanent teeth.
- Provide guidance to jaw development and facial symmetry.
- Reduces the risk of injuries caused by the protruding front teeth.
- Preparing the gums for the upcoming permanent teeth eruption.
- Guards them against unnecessary teeth extraction.
- Decreases the need for more invasive orthodontic treatment during their teenage years.
- Promotes confidence and self-esteem
- Minimizes the need for dental surgeries.
- Preventing the damages caused by unhealthy habits like thumb sucking.
- Corrects bite problems that allow them to use their teeth functions properly.
- Encourages your child to smile more.
Cons:
While the advantages of early orthodontic treatment are undeniably helpful in the progress of your child’s dental health, it could also affect them in negative ways. Wearing braces and orthodontic appliances for quite a while is not an enjoyable experience. It might lead them to feel frustrated as their braces irritate and annoy them every single day. Listed below are some of the disadvantages that you need to consider before getting orthodontic treatment for your child:
- It’s not for everyone. For your child’s safety, it would be wiser to consult their dentist regarding this. Early orthodontic treatment is not for every child and a thorough examination is needed beforehand.
Children with orthodontic appliances need extra supervision. To prevent your child from making adjustments to their braces, you’ll need to keep an eye on them.- Oral care concerns. Most children are not fond of oral care hygiene. This is mainly because they are not yet aware of the effects if they do not clean their teeth regularly. The laziness even gets worse especially if they are wearing an appliance, make sure that they are cleaning their teeth and braces thoroughly to prevent tooth decay.
- While it typically corrects underbites, early orthodontic treatment is not a great option for buck teeth. For this specific concern, consult your child’s orthodontist for an expert opinion.
- Child’s personality. Every child has different personalities. It would also help if your child is fully ready for a dental treatment that could last for several months.
Early Consultation With The Dentist
One of the best things to do to prevent oral issues in their teenage years is by visiting the dentist regularly. As a matter of fact, dental visits are recommended as soon as their first baby tooth erupts. Early consultation with pediatric dentists will save your child from many teeth problems. This preventative measure aims to help your child’s teeth to grow and develop in the healthiest ways.
