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Young Girl Sits In A Dental Chair While A Dentist Examines Her Teeth at Charleston West Virginia

Early Treatment

Early orthodontic evaluation is a key part of ensuring that your child’s teeth and jaws develop properly, and it can help prevent more severe issues down the road. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should have their first orthodontic screening at age 7. While many children won’t need immediate treatment, an early evaluation allows orthodontists to monitor growth patterns and step in at the right time if necessary.

Why Early Evaluation Matters:

Different Types Of Teeth In Children at Charleston West Virginia

Problems to watch for in Children Age 6 to 8

Even though most orthodontic treatments typically start between the ages of 9 and 14, when all baby teeth are gone, there are specific cases where earlier treatment is beneficial. Here are some of the reasons why an early evaluation may be recommended: 

Assessment of Tooth and Jaw Development: Around age 6, adult molars start to come in, giving orthodontists a sense of how a child’s teeth align. They can assess whether there’s enough room for permanent teeth or whether issues like crowding or misalignment are emerging. 

Preventing Future Problems: Early evaluation lets orthodontists monitor the natural development of your child’s teeth and jaws. This proactive approach ensures they can prevent more severe orthodontic issues before they worsen.

Conditions That Benefit from Early Treatment: 

  • Severe Crossbite: When the upper teeth close inside the lower teeth, treatment is easier while the jaw is still growing. A palatal expander can gradually widen the upper jaw to correct this issue. If left untreated, surgery might be needed later. 
  • Severe Crowding: If the jaws are too small for all the permanent teeth, early intervention may involve palatal expansion or even tooth extraction to allow teeth to erupt properly. While braces may still be required later, early treatment often shortens the overall process. 
  • Protruding Teeth: Teeth that stick out too far are at risk of being chipped or fractured and can negatively affect a child’s self-image. Early correction can prevent these issues and reduce the likelihood of injury. 
  • Severe Underbite: This occurs when the lower jaw is larger than the upper jaw, leading to serious bite problems. Early use of braces or headgear can correct these issues and reduce the need for surgery later. 

Addressing Parafunctional Habits: 

Some habits, if not corrected early, can lead to orthodontic problems or interfere with proper development. These include: 

  • Thumb Sucking: If this habit persists beyond ages 2 to 4, it can cause the teeth to move apart and the jaws to change shape, leading to an open bite and potential speech issues. 
  • Tongue Thrusting: This habit occurs when the tongue pushes forward against the teeth, causing an open bite. 
  • Mouth Breathing: This abnormal breathing pattern can cause improper jaw growth and lead to orthodontic problems. It can also result in changes to the muscles of the face and tongue. 

Benefits of Early Intervention: 

  • Less Complicated Treatment: Starting early can reduce the complexity and duration of treatment later on.
  • Improved Self-Esteem: Correcting issues like protruding teeth can improve a child’s self-confidence.
  • Avoiding Surgery: In many cases, early orthodontic treatment can prevent the need for more invasive procedures later.

Early orthodontic screenings are essential for identifying problems early and creating an action plan to ensure healthy tooth and jaw development. This early approach can minimize the severity of future issues and help create the foundation for a beautiful, healthy smile. 

Poster Highlighting The Dangers Of Thumb Sucking at Charleston West Virginia

Correcting Bad Habits

At one time or another, anyone may pick up a bad habit. But there are some situations where a youngster's parafunctional (outside normal function) habits can actually influence the development and function of his or her teeth, jaws and mouth. Some examples of these are persistent thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing.

The sucking reflex is natural in early childhood; it usually disappears between ages 2 and 4. But if it persists much later, the pressure of the digit on the front teeth and the upper jaw can actually cause the teeth to move apart and the jaws to change shape. This can lead to the orthodontic problem called "open bite," and may impair speech. An open bite can also be caused by the force of the tongue pushing forward against the teeth (tongue thrusting).

Mouth breathing — an abnormal breathing pattern in which the mouth always remains open, passing air directly to the lungs — is related to alterations in the muscular function of the tongue and face. It may cause the upper and lower jaw to grow abnormally, which can lead to serious orthodontic problems. Although mouth breathing may start from a physical difficulty, it can become a habitual action that's hard to break.

 

Various orthodontic treatments are available to help correct these parafunctional habits — and the sooner they're taken care of, the less damage they may cause. But these potential problems aren't always easy to recognize. That's one more reason why you should bring your child in for an early orthodontic screening.

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