Your child’s early oral health can affect their growth and development in a number of ways. Understandably, parents get filled up with questions like, “Does my child need to see an orthodontist?”
If you’re around Saratoga Springs, NY, the team at Byrne Orthodontics can help you ensure your kid’s teeth are growing properly. Before setting that much-anticipated appointment, here are a few things you should consider:
Benefits of Getting Into Child Orthodontics
Childhood is the perfect time to begin orthodontic treatment. Sure, pediatric dentists might already be a part of your kid’s healthcare routine, but an orthodontist can provide an evaluation regarding your child’s tooth—whether they have a gap, crowded teeth, or misalignment.
. Beyond their teeth and how they bite, orthodontic conditions can affect other aspects of their health. Their jaw and facial shape, speech capabilities, and even sleeping habits are connected in one way or another.
As a rule of thumb, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation at seven years of age. This way, Dr. Brian Byrne and Dr. Natalie Pinckney can take a look at your kid and provide an accurate evaluation. Doing so offers the following benefits:
- Early Detection: The main purpose of getting your kid assessed by an orthodontist is to identify problems before they lead to other complications. Misaligned and crowded teeth, as well as misaligned bites, are among the most common problems that can easily be identified and corrected at an early stage.
- Promote Facial Symmetry: Childhood is a stage of development on all aspects, often interconnected with each other. Poor spacing and alignment can affect your child’s jawline, or the symmetry between their cheeks.
- Correct Speech Problems: Aside from the shape of their face, malocclusion can also affect your child’s speech. Poorly positioned teeth can negatively affect how the tongue and lips move, affecting how your little one makes certain sounds.
- Avoiding Corrective Treatment: While the first three benefits above focus on your child, this one also considers the parents. Investing early in your child’s oral health can save you dollars from various corrective procedures to rectify orthodontic problems that develop early on.
Early Signs Your Child Needs to See an Orthodontist
There are instances when a child must be examined by an orthodontist, even if they’re not yet seven years old. At Byrne Orthodontics, Dr. Byrne and Dr. Pinckney are ready to help patients of all ages find the best treatment plan possible. Consider setting up an appointment with our our team at our Saratoga Springs, NY office as soon as you notice the following:
- Crowding or Misaligned teeth
Malocclusion is a general term for misaligned teeth, which can result in your child’s teeth being too crowded or having an incorrect bite. In terms of spacing, crowding occurs when the teeth are packed too tightly together, while diastema refers to an excessive gap between teeth.
Meanwhile, an overbite refers to a vertical misalignment where your kid’s upper teeth overlap with the lower teeth more than they should. If the lower teeth extend farther than the upper ones. These orthodontic problems vary wildly and might not be immediately visible, leading to other signs listed below.
- Difficulty Biting or Chewing
Not everyone can spot misalignment at a glance, but there are other signs. If your kid shows visible discomfort during meals, or when they seem to put extra effort into biting or chewing, it might be a sign. Malocclusion usually puts additional strain on certain teeth, instead of having all of them work together during biting and chewing.
- Unusual Oral Habits Beyond the Toddler Stage
Kids pick up a lot of habits as a part of them learning about their own body and their surroundings. However, certain habits persisting beyond the ages of 3-5 can signal an adaptive behavior to a looming orthodontic problem.
Snoring and mouth breathing, for example, are usually developed when nasal breathing is not as accessible to your child. It can also affect the development of their jaws and affect the alignment of their teeth. Similarly, continued thumb sucking or tongue thrusting can push teeth out of their proper positions.
The common signs listed above could lead to more serious problems if left unattended. More importantly, aside from their teeth and jaws, misalignment can also affect other parts of their development, such as sleep, speech, and even their self-esteem—affecting their ability to interact with others.
Take the First Step Toward Your Child’s Perfect Smile
Whether your child is already at that age or if you’ve observed something out of place with their teeth, setting an orthodontic visit for your little ones will get your worries out of the way. After all, early orthodontic treatment is better for their developing teeth. At Byrne Orthodontics, you can rest assured you’ll receive the best quality treatment for your precious little ones. If you’re ready to begin orthodontic treatment for your kid, schedule your free consultation today.