Ortho 101

While there is no exact age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends visiting the orthodontist around age 7. By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, making it easier for the orthodontist to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without surgery.

Early Treatment allows your orthodontist to:

• Correct and guide the growth of your child's jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
• Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
• Create more space for crowded teeth
• Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
• Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems

Here are a few things to look for that may mean your child needs to see an orthodontist:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• A hard time chewing or biting food
• Mouth breathing
• Finger or thumb sucking
• Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
• Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
• Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
• Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
• Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight

Adolescent Treatment

The most common time for orthodontic treatment usually begins between the ages of 11 and 15.

By the age of 12, most of the permanent teeth have erupted and are settled in place. This means that the orthodontist can now easily identify crooked teeth, gaps and bad bites. Hardly ever will any of the problems listed above correct themselves over time and because of this most parents make the decision to seek orthodontic treatment for their children.

The adolescent age is also a good time for orthodontic treatment because at this stage in life many of the negative associations children have of braces have not yet developed. Children that undergo orthodontic treatment around this age are often easily convinced to wear braces because they see many of their friends getting them as well.

Major benefits orthodontists have when working with adolescent children is that they are often able to take advantage of the growth spurts and rapid growth of the child and use it to help shape their bite and teeth correctly. Also, because children have such high metabolisms around this age, it can often help reduce the overall treatment time and discomfort of the orthodontic treatment.

Adult Treatment

You may think that orthodontic treatment is just for teenagers but with even A-List celebrities like Tom Cruise and Faith Hill being photographed on the red carpet wearing braces, this is a perception that is rapidly shifting.

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, one in five orthodontic patients are actually over the age of 21, showing that it is no longer taboo. Having a beautiful smile is becoming increasingly important and having straight teeth is high up on the list. The good news is, you don’t need to have expensive veneers to get the perfect smile, adult orthodontics can straighten and align your own teeth so that you can look and feel fantastic.

Why should I consider Orthodontic Treatment?

Not only do straight teeth look better but straight teeth also equal healthier teeth. If your teeth are crooked or over crowded it can make flossing and brushing difficult and can lead to dental problems such as decay and gum disease. Orthodontic treatment can not only help boost your self-confidence but can give you a healthy new smile. Our practice recognizes that adults and children have different needs, and require a different level of attention and care so we will work with you to ensure that your needs are met with respect and understanding. Call our team today to book an appointment and find out how adult orthodontics can help you.