Early Orthodontics: Why Sooner Can Be Better for Your Child's Dental Health
Many parents think orthodontic treatment only happens when all adult teeth come in. This common belief can actually cause children to miss important opportunities for easier and more effective treatment.
Starting orthodontic care early, often between ages 7-10, can prevent serious problems and make future treatment shorter and less complex.
Early treatment works with your child's natural growth patterns instead of fighting against them.
Understanding when and why to seek early orthodontic care helps you make the best decisions for your child's oral health.
The benefits of catching problems early often outweigh waiting until all permanent teeth appear.
Understanding Early Orthodontics
Early orthodontic treatment can prevent more serious dental problems and reduce the need for complex procedures later. Most children benefit from their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven.
What Is Early Orthodontics?
Early orthodontics is a dental treatment that starts while your child still has some baby teeth and some adult teeth. This approach is also called interceptive orthodontics.
The goal is to guide jaw growth and tooth development. Treatment begins before all adult teeth come in. This timing gives orthodontists more control over how teeth move.
Phase One treatment typically happens between ages 7-10. Your child keeps their appliances for 12-18 months on average.
Phase Two treatment starts after adult teeth grow in. This phase fine-tunes tooth positions and bite alignment.
Early treatment works with your child's natural growth patterns. Growing jaws respond better to gentle pressure than fully developed adult jaws.
Ideal Age for Early Evaluation
The Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends your child's first orthodontic visit by age seven. At this age, your child has their first molars and some adult front teeth.
Your orthodontist can spot problems even when baby teeth are still present. They look for jaw growth issues and crowding patterns.
Early warning signs include:
- Crowded or crooked teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Thumb sucking after age five
- Speech problems
- Teeth that don't meet properly
Early evaluation doesn't always mean immediate treatment. Many children just need monitoring until the right time for intervention.
Common Orthodontic Issues in Children
Several orthodontic problems develop during childhood. Early treatment can address these issues before they become more complex.
Crowding happens when jaws are too small for adult teeth. Interceptive treatment can create space and prevent tooth removal later.
Crossbites occur when upper teeth fit inside lower teeth. This pattern can cause jaw growth problems if left untreated.
Severe overbites put upper teeth at risk for injury. Early correction protects teeth and improves function.
Underbites develop when lower teeth extend past upper teeth. Treatment works best during active jaw growth periods.
Open bites create gaps when back teeth touch but front teeth don't meet. Early intervention can eliminate harmful habits that cause this problem.
Interceptive treatment often uses removable appliances or simple fixed devices. These tools guide natural development rather than forcing major changes.
Benefits of Early Intervention
Starting orthodontic treatment during childhood can prevent serious dental issues and make future care much simpler. Early treatment works best when your child still has baby teeth or when their adult teeth are just starting to come in.
Preventing Severe Dental Problems
Early orthodontic care stops small problems from becoming big ones. When your child gets treatment between ages 7 and 10, the orthodontist can fix issues before they get worse.
Crowded teeth are easier to fix when your child is young. The jaw is still growing, so there's more room to move teeth into the right spots. Waiting too long can mean your child needs teeth pulled later.
Cross bites happen when upper teeth sit inside lower teeth. This problem can damage teeth and cause jaw pain if not fixed early. Early treatment moves teeth to the correct position before damage occurs.
Severe overbites can cause front teeth to stick out too far. These teeth break easily and look different from other children's smiles. Early treatment brings these teeth back to a safer position.
Thumb sucking past age 5 can push teeth forward and change jaw shape. Early orthodontic treatment helps fix these changes and breaks the habit.
Guiding Jaw Growth and Tooth Alignment
Your child's jaw grows quickly between ages 7 and 12. Orthodontists can guide this growth to create more room for adult teeth and improve jaw position.
Palatal expanders widen the upper jaw when it's too narrow. This treatment only works well while your child is still growing. Adult jaws are too hard to expand without surgery.
Some children have lower jaws that grow too fast or too slow compared to their upper jaw. Early treatment uses special appliances to help both jaws grow at the same rate.
Space maintainers hold space open when baby teeth fall out too early. Without these devices, nearby teeth shift into the empty space. This leaves no room for adult teeth to come in straight.
Early treatment also guides adult teeth into better positions as they emerge. This prevents teeth from getting stuck or coming in sideways.
Reducing Complexity of Future Treatments
Children who get early orthodontic care often need simpler treatment later. Their second phase of treatment is shorter and uses fewer appliances.
Early treatment can prevent the need for tooth removal. When jaws have enough space, all adult teeth can fit properly. This means your child keeps all their natural teeth.
Some children need braces for a shorter time, usually 18 months instead of 24 to 30 months.
Surgical procedures are less likely when treatment starts early. Jaws that grow properly during childhood rarely need surgery to fix bite problems later.
The cost of early treatment plus simple braces is often less than complex adult treatment. Early care prevents expensive procedures like tooth implants or jaw surgery.
Your child also experiences less discomfort with two shorter treatment phases than one long, complicated treatment.
Begin Your Smile Transformation with Bronte Family Orthodontics
Whether you’ve just started your journey with orthodontic braces or are still exploring your options, our team at Bronte Family Orthodontics is here to help you feel informed, prepared, and excited about your smile transformation.
Our team is here to support you through every stage, starting with day one.
Ready to embrace your brace journey? Book a consultation with our friendly team today.