Good life-long oral health starts in childhood – and at Burnaby Heights Orthodontics we believe early orthodontic is essential to getting your children get off to a great start.
Why Start Early?
Early orthodontic assessment and treatment have a number of benefits for children. Many orthodontic problems are more easily corrected if they are detected at an early age. Your child's orthodontist will be the first to notice if there are any critical problems in the development of their mouth and jaw, so it's a good idea to bring your child in at an early age for an assessment.
Early treatment can offer these benefits, amongst others:
- Reduces teeth grinding
- Lowers risk of tooth decay
- Improves digestion
- Reduces teeth grinding
- Mitigates harmful oral habits, such as thumb sucking
- Guides adult teeth development
The Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends that children should first visit an orthodontist by the age of 7.
Although some children may not require treatment until between the ages of 11 to 13, the first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in around age 7, and so crossbites, crowding, and other problems can be evaluated.
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Over and over again, we see problems that develope in teen and adults years that could have been mitigated by early treatment.
What does early treatment involve?
Early orthodontic treatment can take a variety forms, based on the evidence we see when we examine a child's oral cavity and teeth.
The orthodontist may prescribe a fixed or removable orthodontic appliance – a device (such as a retainer) used to move teeth, change the position of the jaw, or hold teeth in place in order to bring about desirable changes.
In some cases, appliances are not necessary. Rather, removal of some baby teeth may help the permanent teeth erupt better.
In more extreme cases, where problems are already evident, we may explore oral surgery options.
Rest assured, though, that when you consult with us, your child's unique oral health will be reviewed by a team of experienced professionals who know what to look for and have years of success with early stage treatment.
Early Stage Orthodontic Treatment Can Help With:
Thumb-sucking
Trouble with chewing and breathing
Late or early loss of baby teeth
Teeth that are crowded, loose, or impacted
Upper and lower teeth that do not meet correctly
Improper jaw alignment
Tongue thrusting
Cross bites