Child Orthodontics – 4 Things You Need To Know

Did you know when you’re born you are born with BOTH sets of teeth both baby and adult? 

When we are younger our mouths and jaws are still too small to hold adult teeth which is why our baby teeth grow out and eventually fall out when it’s time for our permanent adult teeth to come through. 

Children start losing baby teeth as young as 6 years old and when that happens, it’s time to take a look into scheduling an appointment for child orthodontics. 

Child orthodontics is the field of dentistry concerned with adjusting and correcting poorly aligned or positioned teeth in children. 

We aren’t sure how a child’s teeth will grow in and position themselves unless we take a closer look during the transition process from baby to adult teeth. 

Child orthodontics is often overlooked because the time of transition between baby and adult teeth seems too early for braces or correction since adult teeth aren’t entirely in yet. But by that time, it could be too late to adjust the course. 

So let’s talk about child orthodontics and a few things you should know! 

Child Orthodontics Is Not Just Cosmetic

Many people consider the need for braces a cosmetic repair, however, this could not be farther from the truth. Braces and other correctional aids like retainers are meant to help align the bite and improve function. 

Overbites, underbites, misalignment, crowding, tooth displacement, and more can cause pain, and trouble with chewing, talking, biting and even swallowing. 

It’s important to look past the “cosmetic” aspect of needing to have properly aligned teeth and focus on the improved quality of life. 

Teeth Do Not Straighten Out On Their Own

The “wait and see” approach of thinking a child’s teeth will eventually straighten out on their own could be more detrimental to their health and dental hygiene than anything else. Correction of teeth at a later stage in life could mean longer times in braces and even corrective surgery. 

The best time is at an early age while your child’s mouth and jaw are still growing and developing. This allows the orthodontist to start the correction process early and adjust course if need be overtime. 

Make An EARLY Appointment 

7 years old is the right time to start looking into child orthodontics appointments. Even though a majority of their baby teeth may still remain, you’ll get a good picture of how their adult teeth are growing in. 

Braces Will Not Stay On For Years

Braces are not a long-term need for anyone unless there are severe tooth and mouth problems. 

The length of time for braces in children is between 15-18 months. After that, there may be a need for a nighttime retainer or temporary corrective device to ensure the teeth are staying in place. There will be continued care appointments to check for any shifting or other issues. 

After the treatment plan has ended your child’s normal dentist will continue to monitor at their biannual and relay any necessary concerns to the orthodontist if needed. 

Want To Learn More About Child Orthodontics? Contact Falcon Dental Care Today!

If your child is close to 7 or even past that age and hasn’t been seen by a child orthodontist, it’s time to contact us today and schedule an appointment. 

Our dentist office located in Falcon, Colorado provides everything you need from general dental care, orthodontic care and cosmetic dentistry. 

We are able to assist the entire family from infant to grandparent. 

To learn more about our dental practice we encourage you to check out the rest of our website and read the helpful articles on our blog page like our most recent, “Same Day Crowns: What You Should Know.”