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How young is too young for orthodontic treatment?

Parents are often concerned when their children show signs of needing braces. One parent, Teri, wonders if her child is too young for orthodontic treatment.

Most dentists will not recommend braces until the patient is at least 7 years old. If the child has an unusually small jaw or mouth, there may be a need for early treatment to maximize the growth and development of the bones in the mouth. There are people even younger than 7 who may have problems with their teeth such that they need early treatment options that include a combination of orthodontics and dental surgery to correct any problems that may exist in the jaw and facial area and to prevent future problems from occurring.

There are four parts of the mouth that an orthodontist may examine:

Are the jaws growing properly?

The upper jaw does not continue to grow past around 8 because it stops much earlier than the rest, which happens much sooner than the lower jaw does. Because of this, orthodontists can identify issues with the growth of the upper jaw earlier, which could plant the seed for future problems in other areas.

Is it possible for teeth to grow in the mouth?

Teeth are said to be “affected” when they can’t grow in because something is in the way (such as another tooth or an extra tooth) or because it is growing in the wrong direction. The teeth will need to be removed, and then orthodontic treatment would be needed.

How are the teeth that are not yet in the mouth developing?

Many people have missing teeth because of trauma in the jaw or disease. Teething may cause some teeth to be lost prematurely. The first 3 years of life are critical for proper development, and it is important to take care of these teeth during this time. After that, children can lose up to 2 or 3 a year if they don’t develop properly.

Does the child snore and is there a mouth or nose obstruction?

It is common for children and parents of young children to be concerned when the child has any sign of needing braces. A dentist will not recommend braces until the patient is at least 7 years old, but this can vary by each case. If an individual has a jaw or mouth that is unusually small, early treatment may be needed to maximize the growth and development of bones in the mouth. Individuals up to age 7 may have problems with their teeth that cause early treatment options, including orthodontics and dental surgery, to avoid more serious problems down the line that could even include death.

Conclusion

The age of 7, when children have been recommended to start treatment with orthodontics or dentistry, is the most suitable time for treatment because there is enough room for teeth development and healthy jaw growth. Some problems may arise even in the early years, such as teeth being lost prematurely if there was an obstruction in the airway.

For Dentist in Brampton, Visit CaplashDental

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