As a child’s mouth grows and develops, it is not uncommon for teeth to become crooked, twisted, overlapping, or otherwise misplaced. It is also not unusual for bite problems to develop. If left untreated, these differences in the placement of the teeth can have a significant effect on the child’s dental health.
Braces in children and teens are a treatment option that is conservative, effective, and affordable. The brackets and wires are carefully placed and maintained so that the teeth, gums, and the bones beneath the gums are not harmed in any way.
Orthodontic Evaluation by Age Seven
Dr. Jeffrey Robertson recommends that all children undergo orthodontic evaluation around age seven. Don’t worry—this does not necessarily mean your child will need braces! However, this is the perfect age to make adjustments as necessary to relieve overcrowding or adjust their dental bite. In many cases, early orthodontics can reduce treatment times in the future.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be evaluated for orthodontics by age seven. At this age, children enter what we call the mixed dentition stage; they still have baby teeth, but their first permanent molar has erupted.
How Braces Benefit Your Child
Braces are about more than smile beauty. They also promote better oral health and comfort. Below are just a few ways braces benefit children:
- TMJ Support: The TMJs connect the lower jaw to the skull and allow for purposeful movement. Sometimes, teeth grinding or misalignment causes TMJ issues, which can be painful and affect oral development.
- Oral Hygiene: Straight teeth make it easier for your child to brush and floss effectively because there are fewer nooks and tight spaces for plaque, tartar, and bacteria to collect and cause tooth decay and bad breath.
- Tooth Health: Misaligned, crooked, and crowded teeth mean an uneven bite force. When the chewing force is not evenly distributed and aligned, it puts excessive stress and wear on the teeth tasked with most of the chewing.
The Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment
Early childhood intervention with braces is becoming increasingly common because this method is beneficial in order to address conditions before they become a serious issue. Problems such as crossbite and overcrowding in younger children require early treatment, eliminating the need for more extensive treatment and even extractions later.
In some cases, early treatment reduces the overall cost and time necessary for treatment later in your child’s teen years. We could avoid the need for surgeries and extractions down the line by treating your child during their growing years.
The goal of early orthodontic treatment—also called Phase One Treatment or interceptive orthodontics—is to ensure that there’s enough space in your child’s jaw for their permanent teeth to erupt correctly.
Orthodontic Issues We Treat in Children
Children begin to show signs of overcrowding and malocclusion as young as seven years old. Common conditions we treat include:
- Crossbite
- Underbite
- Overbite
- Overcrowding
- Malocclusion
- Crooked teeth
- Overlapping teeth
- Oddly placed teeth
Why Are Braces Necessary?
Many parents come to our office concerned about whether braces are even necessary. Although on the surface, crooked or crowded teeth or a misplaced bite may appear to be cosmetic issues, the truth is that leaving this situation as is could place your child’s long-term dental health in jeopardy.
Easier Oral Hygiene for a Healthy Smile
Crooked, crowded, and twisted teeth are difficult to brush and floss properly. Despite your child’s best efforts, when the teeth are too close together or touching, toothbrushes and dental floss will not be able to effectively clean the surfaces of the teeth, leading to the formation of plaque and tartar, which in turn leads to cavities and gum disease.
Corrected Dental Bite for Comfort
A misplaced bite causes the teeth to line up in an unusual way, subjecting the teeth to pressure and chewing forces that they weren’t designed to handle. In time, the result can be headaches, jaw pain, worn down or eroded teeth, and even fractured teeth.
How Much Will My Child’s Braces Cost?
The cost of children’s braces depends on the length, complexity, and type of treatment necessary. The best way to determine the cost is to first do a full evaluation. That way, we can see the number of phases necessary, the type of braces your child will need, and an estimate on how long treatment may take.
Orthodontic conditions range from very simple to extremely complex. The cost will depend on factors such as the type of hardware we will use, whether your child will require dental extractions, any surgery necessary, and how many phases of treatment we estimate.
Schedule Your Child’s Orthodontic Consultation in Irvine Today
Ready to find out if your child needs braces? Dr. Jeffrey Robertson is highly skilled and experienced in the orthodontic treatment of children. He can give you a good idea of what your fee will be once he does a full exam on your child, so you can plan and budget for your child’s expenses. Contact our Irvine dental office today to schedule an evaluation and take the first step toward ensuring your child’s long-term dental health and a confident, beautiful smile.
