Do you have a young child aged six or seven? Are their teeth perfectly arranged or is it possible they could benefit from orthodontic treatment? A child can have an early orthodontic evaluation as soon as age six or seven and this can be enormously beneficial. By this stage one of our excellent pediatric dentists in Brooklyn can detect any early problems that may be developing. By carefully assessing their teeth, jaws and facial structure, we can determine if it is possible they will benefit from seeing an orthodontist for a full evaluation. Sometimes treatment may not be necessary at this age, but an early examination in can help determine the optimal time for periodontic treatment to begin.
What are the Potential Benefits of Early Orthodontic Evaluation?
An early evaluation can provide greater opportunity for early intervention. At this stage treatment can take advantage of your child’s growth and development, guiding their jaws and facial structure into a pleasing and optimal arrangement so they can have a beautiful smile and will enjoy all the benefits it can bring, both socially and professionally, as well as the benefits to their dental health. By the age of seven, we can see how your child’s bite or occlusion is developing and can evaluate the relationship between their upper and lower teeth.
What Type of Orthodontic Problems are Corrected by Early Treatment?
There are a number of problems that may potentially benefit from early orthodontic evaluation. It can be used to create additional room for teeth that have yet to erupt and can create good facial symmetry by influencing their jaw growth. Correcting front teeth that stick out too far can reduce the risk of accidental injury to these teeth. Early treatment can also help reduce the risk of tooth removal in preparation for orthodontics during their teens. It may help to reduce or eliminate the need for treatment later on, or could reduce the overall time required to wear braces.
Does It Matter if a Child Has Crooked Teeth?
Rightly or wrongly, we live in a society where an attractive smile is highly valued and ensuring your child has the nicest smile possible can benefit them as they grow up and right throughout life. As well as providing them with a more attractive profile, there is another extremely important reason for considering orthodontic evaluation for your kid. Straighter teeth can be healthier teeth and this is probably an even more important reason for straightening up their smile.
If your child has evenly spaced teeth that are not overcrowded, they will find it easier to keep them clean and much easier to floss properly. Good oral hygiene is vital for ensuring long-term dental health and will reduce their risk of tooth decay and gum disease. At the same time, good oral health will help protect their general health as an increasing number of clinical studies have shown links between poor dental health and poor general health. As they grow up they can enjoy the benefits of having a beautiful, attractive and healthy smile and they may even have lower medical bills as a result of good dental care.
