Children

The earlier you can get your child to an orthodontist, the more beneficial it will be over the long term. Early orthodontic visits allow you to discover potential developmental issues your child could be facing and help address them immediately rather than waiting until they are teens. 

Appropriate Age For First Time Visit to Orthodontist

The best time to have an initial orthodontic checkup for children should be at the age of seven. If your children are age eight, nine, or more and you have missed the early appointment, no need to worry. You will still be able to make an appointment for them now and determine whether any developmental issues require orthodontic intervention.

Signs Parents Need to Look Out for

There are some indicators parents should be aware of that suggest they should bring their children to an orthodontist for a dental assessment. They include:

• Early loss (before age five) of baby teeth.
• Speech impediment.
• The thumb-sucking technique or the use of pacifiers after the age of three.
• Children frequently snore when they are asleep. 
• Children breathe through their mouths more often than their noses.
• Children are prone to an overbite or an underbite where the lower and upper teeth don't meet, and the lips are not closed easily.
• Overcrowded teeth. 
• Large gaps or space between permanent teeth.
• Permanent teeth grow unnaturally.
• Jawbones of children "pop" as they chew, bite, or speak.
• Children may have issues while chewing and biting.
• Children bite the sides of their cheeks often.

Benefits of Kids Orthodontics

There are many advantages that your child could get from early orthodontic treatment. The earlier you address the issue, it can stop the condition from getting worse and prevent further problems from arising as they grow. Other advantages of early treatment are:

• Help children with smile and appearance concerns. 
• Track jaw growth and aid in its development.
• Fix gaps between permanent teeth.
• Improved speech patterns and the ability to talk clearly. 
• Reduce the chance that permanent teeth will not grow straight.
• Reduce the chances of the need to extract permanent teeth in the future.
• Help to keep teeth from shifting or becoming unbalanced.
• Fix current issues of overcrowded and crooked teeth.
• It makes eating various kinds of foods easier.
• Assist your child in adjusting to wearing braces when they are ready for this aspect of their treatment.

To have a no-charge consultation with Dr. Kim, please reach out to our dental practice in Flanders, NJ. Please call Dentist in Flanders NJ at (973) 370-8917 or schedule an online consultation, and we'll guide you further.