Benefits of early treatment

It’s natural to have questions about orthodontic treatment for your child, especially if they’re the first child to get braces in your family. That’s why we’re going to answer some common questions about early orthodontic treatment.

When should my child see an orthodontist?

One of the most common questions we get asked is at what age should a child have an orthodontic assessment? While people of any age can benefit from braces, we recommend children visit a registered specialist orthodontist for an assessment between the ages of 8 to 10 years old, once their front adult teeth have grown into the mouth.

This allows the orthodontist to evaluate your child’s teeth and determine if they may need early treatment. Your orthodontist’s assessment will cover existing teeth as well as those that are yet to break the surface to help predict their future growth.

What is early orthodontic treatment?

Some people get confused about what early orthodontic treatment is. It’s a treatment that takes place before all the baby teeth have been lost, when a child is 8 to 10 years old. Your orthodontist will be able to identify any abnormalities that might be more urgent to fix, when their teeth and jaws are easier to manipulate. This is helpful for treating a variety of orthodontic problems such as crossbites, protruding teeth, crowding, spacing, and missing teeth before more serious problems start to develop.

How do I know if my child needs early orthodontic treatment?

There are several ways you can determine whether your kid may need early orthodontic treatment. You should seek an assessment if you observe any of these characteristics or behaviours in your child:

• Early loss of baby teeth (before age five)
• If teeth are not developing in the right order or are very delayed
• If your child’s teeth do not meet properly when biting
• Mouth breathing and/or snoring
• If your child’s front teeth are crowded (you generally won’t see this until the child is about seven or eight years old)
• Protruding front teeth
• Biting or chewing difficulties
• If your child’s jaw shifts when he or she opens or closes the mouth
• If your child is older than five years and still sucks a thumb or finger

If you notice any of the above symptoms in your child then it might be a sign they could benefit from early orthodontic treatment and you should see a specialist orthodontist sooner rather than later.

What are the benefits of early orthodontic treatment?

Early orthodontic treatment is usually undertaken if an urgent problem is identified, where waiting might make the problem worse. In these situations, appropriate early treatment is an effective interceptive measure that lays the foundation for a healthy and well-functioning mouth in adolescence and even adulthood.

While your child’s teeth may appear aligned and straight, there could be underlying issues that need to be checked and/or addressed to prevent more serious problems from developing. Early intervention usually means that later orthodontic treatment will be more straightforward and completed in a shorter amount of time which can also be financially beneficial in the long run.

What does an orthodontist look for when determining if a child needs early orthodontic treatment?

Your orthodontist will typically examine your child’s baby and permanent teeth, as well as the face, lips, jaws and bite. At this age, problems such as crowding, deep bites, crossbites, open bites, underbites or overbites can all be detected. With this information, the orthodontist can determine any problems that might be present, and plan how they might need to be addressed, both in the short and long term.

Why is it good to create a long-term treatment plan?

Finding an orthodontic home for your child by age 8 can help them to become familiar with their specialist, which can help to ease any anxiety they may have about their treatment in the future. During your initial assessment, your orthodontist may take an x-ray of your child’s teeth and facial bones to understand how their teeth are likely to develop in the future. They will be able to diagnose any existing issues, and present a treatment plan that encompasses their current needs and also give you an idea of what may be necessary for the future. While many factors can contribute to the health of your child’s teeth and their need for orthodontic treatment – including early loss of baby teeth or accidents resulting in tooth loss – an early assessment can help you to be prepared.

What is the best age to correct an underbite?

Every child is different, and the cause of an underbite will vary. The best age to treat any orthodontic problem (including underbites) is as early as possible after the front adult teeth have grown into the mouth (usually by age 8). So, if you notice that your child’s lower teeth are protruding more than their upper teeth, or any other symptoms of an orthodontic issue, then it’s time to see an orthodontist.

Can an underbite be fixed in toddlers?

Toddlers only have their baby teeth present in their mouth. As such, an issue such as an underbite can sometimes self-correct when the baby teeth are replaced by adult teeth! While severe cases may require some orthodontic intervention as young as 6 years old, it is incredibly unlikely an orthodontist would recommend orthodontic treatment for a toddler who only has baby teeth present.

While it is helpful to get your child in to see an orthodontist as soon as you notice a potential issue like an underbite, they will most likely recommend holding off on any treatment until they are a little bit older and have developed their front adult teeth (usually by age 8).

Why your family should see an orthodontist

Orthodontists are the experts at straightening teeth and correcting bad bites. They begin as dentists before completing an additional three years of full-time study to become registered specialists. This extra training gives orthodontists in-depth knowledge of the newest technologies and the best practices to safeguard the health of your child’s teeth.

How to find a child orthodontist near me?

If you think your child needs or would benefit from early orthodontic treatment, only a specialist orthodontist has the training, experience and expert knowledge to determine the most appropriate treatment options and the best time to start treatment. When you see a specialist orthodontist you can be confident that your child is in the best hands.

Use our Finder Tool to search for a specialist orthodontist in your local area.