There isn’t a specific age at which children should start undergoing orthodontic treatment. However, at around seven years old, your child will have grown out enough permanent teeth and the jaw is developed enough to tell if there are any current issues… or any on the horizon.
There are many benefits to getting orthodontic treatment as a child, including shorter treatment time, fewer impacted permanent teeth, and reduced chance of needing to remove teeth because we:
- Guide teeth into desired positions early
- Minimize crowding/creating room for erupting teeth
- Guide jaw growth
- Correct the results of oral habits like thumb and finger sucking
Are there any signs I should look for?
Yes, definitely! Here are some of the signs to keep in mind:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting into food
- Grinding and/or clenching of teeth
- Mouth breathing
- Speech difficulties
- Thumb or other finger sucking habit
- Crowding, misplacement, or blocking of teeth
- Jaw shifts or jaw noises like popping
- Protruding of teeth
- Biting the inside of his or her cheek
- Teeth meet abnormally or do not meet at all
- Jaw and teeth do not appear to be proportionate to the face
Keep in mind that these signs do not guarantee that your child needs treatment, but they may indicate that an orthodontic evaluation may be a good idea.
Do some of these signs look familiar to you?
Have no fear, your child will be in good hands! The Smiles for Maine team has worked hard to build a family-oriented, professional practice. They are no strangers to the latest technology so you can be sure that our team will always be to date on the newest trends in orthodontics.
Think your child may need an orthodontic evaluation?
Give us a call and make an appointment for a consultation. Smiles for Maine Orthodontics offers complimentary new patient exams. You can visit our website or call us at: (207)-873-7425 to request an appointment
MEET DR. BRIAN PATTERSON
Dr. Brian is a 2016 graduate of the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston where he was a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society. He then completed his Master’s degree and orthodontic certificate at Saint Louis University’s Center for Advanced Dental Education in 2018, where he was awarded the best clinician in his class. He is a member of the Maine Dental Association (MDA), American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), and a candidate for the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) certification. Dr. Brian said that he chose orthodontics because it is a unique blend of both art and science, which aligns with his personality. He also explained that his unwavering commitment and passion for orthodontics stems from his personal experience in orthodontic treatment and the impression that it had in his life – both aesthetically and in his self-confidence. Dr. Brian has said that he “feels blessed to have a job to create smiles that not only look beautiful, but truly have the ability to change someone’s life.”
Read more about Dr Brian Patterson here.
