As a parent, ensuring your child’s dental health is essential for their overall well-being. A confident, healthy smile can positively impact a child’s self-esteem and quality of life. One of the most common questions parents have is: “When should I start thinking about braces for my child?” Early orthodontic care can make a big difference in the growth and alignment of your child’s teeth and jaws, helping to prevent more complex dental issues in the future.

 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about early orthodontics, from when to consider braces to how early treatments can benefit your child. 

 

What Is Early Orthodontics and Why Does It Matter?

 

Early orthodontics, also known as interceptive orthodontics, is a preventive approach that focuses on diagnosing and treating potential dental issues in children at a young age. Unlike traditional orthodontic treatments that typically occur during the teenage years, early orthodontics works to guide the development of your child’s teeth and jaws during their formative years.

 

This early intervention can help prevent more serious problems in the future, making treatments less invasive and often shorter in duration.

 

Key Benefits of Early Orthodontics:

 

• Prevents severe misalignment of teeth.
• Corrects bite issues like underbites, overbites, and crossbites.
• Addresses overcrowding and spacing problems early.
• Improves facial symmetry by guiding proper jaw development.
• Reduces the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth.
• May eliminate the need for tooth extractions or jaw surgery in the future.

 

At Jacob Jarvis Orthodontics, our goal is to provide your child with a healthy, confident smile by identifying and addressing these issues early on.

 

When Should You Start Thinking About Braces for Your Child?

 

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children visit an orthodontist by the age of 7. At this age, most children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, making it the perfect time to evaluate how their teeth and jaws are developing.

 

Signs Your Child Might Need Early Orthodontic Treatment:

 

• Difficulty Chewing or Biting – Misaligned teeth can cause pain and difficulty while eating.
• Crowded or Crooked Teeth – Overlapping or crowded teeth are a common indicator of future orthodontic needs.
• Mouth Breathing – This can affect jaw growth and alignment over time.
• Thumb-Sucking or Other Oral Habits – Prolonged habits can alter the development of the teeth and jaws.
• Protruding Front Teeth – Increases the risk of injury and self-esteem issues.
• Misaligned Bite – Signs of overbite, underbite, or crossbite can be spotted early.
• Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth – Losing teeth too early or too late can impact the way permanent teeth grow.

 

While not every child will require early treatment, an orthodontic evaluation can determine whether your child could benefit from braces or other early interventions.

 

​​The Two Phases of Orthodontic Treatment for Kids

 

At Jacob Jarvis Orthodontics, we understand that every child’s smile is unique. That’s why we often recommend a two-phase approach to orthodontic treatment for those who can benefit from early intervention. This staged approach allows us to address developing issues and guide your child’s smile toward optimal health and aesthetics.

 

Phase 1: Early Treatment (Ages 6-10)

 

This initial phase focuses on the foundation of your child’s smile. During this period, we may utilize various tools and techniques to:

 

• Guide Jaw Growth: We can gently influence the development of the upper and lower jaws, ensuring they grow in harmony. This can help prevent future bite problems and improve facial balance.
• Create Space for Permanent Teeth: As permanent teeth begin to erupt, they need sufficient space to emerge correctly. Early treatment can help create this space, reducing the risk of overcrowding and crooked teeth.
• Correct Harmful Habits: Thumb-sucking, finger-sucking, and tongue thrusting can negatively impact bite development. We can use habit-breaking appliances to gently discourage these habits.

 

Common Early Treatment Options:

 

• Palate Expanders: These appliances gently widen the upper jaw, creating more space for the permanent teeth.
• Space Maintainers: These devices hold open the space left by a prematurely lost baby tooth, preventing adjacent teeth from shifting and creating overcrowding.
• Partial Braces: In some cases, we may use braces on a few specific teeth to guide their eruption and create space.

 

Phase 2: Comprehensive Treatment (Ages 11-15)

 

Once most of the permanent teeth have erupted, we move to the comprehensive treatment phase. This is where we fine-tune the smile, addressing any remaining alignment issues and perfecting the bite.

 

Common Treatment Options in Phase 2:

 

• Full Braces: Braces are effective in correcting a wide range of orthodontic issues.
• Invisalign: For suitable candidates, Invisalign clear aligners offer a discreet and comfortable alternative to traditional braces.

 

The Benefits of Two-Phase Treatment

 

• Reduced Treatment Time: By addressing issues early, we may be able to shorten the overall treatment time in the later stages.
• Improved Treatment Outcomes: Early intervention can often lead to more predictable and effective results.
• Enhanced Self-Esteem: A healthy and beautiful smile can significantly boost a child’s self-confidence.

 

Is Two-Phase Treatment Right for Your Child?

 

Every child’s situation is unique. During a comprehensive consultation, Dr. Jarvis will carefully assess your child’s oral development and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.

 

What to Expect During Early Orthodontic Treatment

 

If your child is undergoing early orthodontic treatment, you can expect to see them for regular appointments with their orthodontist. During these appointments, the orthodontist will adjust their appliance and monitor their progress. You will also need to help your child keep their appliance clean and in good condition.

 

• Early Orthodontic Treatment and Your Child’s Self-Esteem: A beautiful smile can have a positive impact on a child’s self-esteem and confidence. Early orthodontic treatment can help to give your child a straighter, more beautiful smile, which can help to boost their self-esteem and confidence.

• How to Make Early Orthodontic Treatment Affordable: There are several ways to make early orthodontic treatment more affordable. Many orthodontists offer payment plans and financing options. You can also talk to your dentist about getting a referral to an orthodontist who accepts your insurance.

• Early Orthodontic Treatment and Speech Development: In some cases, early orthodontic treatment can help to improve speech development by correcting problems such as lisps and difficulty pronouncing certain sounds.

• Maintaining Oral Hygiene During Early Orthodontic Treatment: It is important to maintain good oral hygiene during early orthodontic treatment. This means brushing your child’s teeth twice a day and flossing daily. You should also take them to the dentist for regular checkups.

 

The Expertise of Dr. Jacob Jarvis

 

Dr. Jacob Jarvis is a board-certified orthodontist with years of experience in treating children, teens, and adults. His expertise in early orthodontics allows him to identify issues early on and design personalized treatment plans for each child.

 

Dr. Jarvis and his team are passionate about creating positive, comfortable experiences for every patient.

 

Schedule an Orthodontic Evaluation Today

 

Early orthodontics can make a world of difference in your child’s smile and oral health. If your child is 7 or older, it’s time to schedule their first orthodontic evaluation. At Jacob Jarvis Orthodontics, we offer comprehensive evaluations and personalized care to ensure your child’s teeth and jaws are developing properly.

 

Take the first step toward your child’s confident smile! Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jacob Jarvis.

 

FAQs About Early Orthodontics 

 

What is early orthodontics?

 

Early orthodontics, also known as interceptive orthodontics, is a type of orthodontic treatment that is started earlier in life, often before all of a child’s permanent teeth have erupted.

 

What are the benefits of early orthodontics?

 

Early orthodontic treatment can help to improve facial growth, correct bite problems, make room for permanent teeth, improve speech development, and boost self-esteem.

 

When should I start thinking about braces for my child?

 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best time to start orthodontic treatment will vary depending on your child’s individual needs. However, it is generally recommended to start early, ideally between the ages of 7 and 10.

 

What are the signs that my child may need early orthodontic treatment?

 

Some signs that your child may need early orthodontic treatment include crowded teeth, crossbite, overbite, underbite, thumb sucking, difficulty chewing or speaking.

 

What types of early orthodontic treatment are available?

 

There are several different types of early orthodontic treatment available, including removable appliances, such as palatal expanders and retainers, and fixed appliances, such as braces.

 

What can I expect during early orthodontic treatment?

 

If your child is undergoing early orthodontic treatment, you can expect to see them for regular appointments with their orthodontist. During these appointments, the orthodontist will adjust their appliance and monitor their progress. You will also need to help your child keep their appliance clean and in good condition.

 

How can I make early orthodontic treatment affordable?

 

There are several ways to make early orthodontic treatment more affordable. Many orthodontists offer payment plans and financing options. You can also talk to your dentist about getting a referral to an orthodontist who accepts your insurance.

 

Can early orthodontic treatment improve speech development?

 

In some cases, early orthodontic treatment can help to improve speech development by correcting problems such as lisps and difficulty pronouncing certain sounds.

 

How can I maintain oral hygiene during early orthodontic treatment?

 

It is important to maintain good oral hygiene during early orthodontic treatment. This means brushing your child’s teeth twice a day and flossing daily. You should also take them to the dentist for regular checkups.