Five Reasons For Early Orthodontics
EAGAN AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Introducing orthodontics at an early age is important because some issues are more easily corrected when caught early, and other issues may only be identifiable by a trained professional.
By the time children reach 7 years old, they should have had their first orthodontist appointment, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. This appointment can point out noticeable and hidden problems, even if their teeth appear straight, and can result in simplifying treatment later in life.
Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, a Minneapolis pediatric orthodontist, explains five reasons for having your child evaluated by an orthodontist at an early age, so you can prevent the need for more extensive treatment when they are older.Preventing Surgery
Our Minneapolis pediatric orthodontics office prefers to see children early to determine if orthodontic treatment is necessary. For children who have problems with their bite, measures can be taken to prevent it from getting to the point where they need surgery.
“Jaw surgery may be necessary for adult patients because their jaws have stopped growing,” says Dr. Eisenhuth, a Minneapolis children’s orthodontics specialist.
Aesthetics
Many Minneapolis children’s orthodontists also treat adults, and there are plenty of aesthetic options available, such as lingual braces and Invisalign. However, most people agree that children tend to fit in easier with braces because the majority of their peers have gone or will go through the same procedure, Dr. Eisenhuth says. Once a person reaches adulthood, they may shy away from orthodontic treatment if they think they will have to wear traditional “train track” braces.
Health Benefits
Straightening teeth that are misaligned helps improve good oral hygiene because aligned teeth create fewer areas in which food can get caught, Dr. Eisenhuth says. This goes a long way toward preventing gingivitis. Gingivitis, if left untreated, can destroy bone that surrounds the teeth and lead to tooth loss.
Speech impediments can occur when the upper and lower front teeth don’t connect correctly, and that can be corrected with early orthodontic treatment.
Finally, orthodontic treatment can help to prevent premature wear of back tooth surfaces. As you bite down, your teeth withstand a tremendous amount of force. If your front teeth don’t meet properly, it can cause your back teeth to wear more, according to information posted on Colgate’s website.
Treatment Can Build Confidence Early On
If your child has visible problems such as under/over bite, and his self-esteem is lowered as a result, it might be time to consider orthodontic treatment, Eisenhuth says. This will help him build confidence with his smile and will prevent a tedious treatment path down the road.
Treatment Time Is Shorter
“The teeth of adults and children move in the same way by orthodontic forces, but the difference is that adult treatment may take longer,” says Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth.
A note to parents in Minneapolis: braces for children under the age of 18 often means shorter treatment time, because children are still growing and jaw bones haven’t fused, Eisenhuth says. Girls generally stop growing by age 18, while boys can grow until they reach 21.
Identifying and correcting problems while children are growing means less invasive methods can be used to make corrections, preventing the need for surgery down the road.
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