It’s estimated that around 45% of children require orthodontic treatment in order to treat functional issues with their teeth. While many go on to eventually receive this treatment, many never do. And of those that do, many receive it much later than is most beneficial.
But what are the benefits of early orthodontic treatment? There are all sorts of advantages that come with early orthodontic treatments. Here are the primary benefits of early orthodontic care.
Spot Small Problems Before They Become Big Problems
One of the biggest benefits of early orthodontic treatment is that you can spot small problems before they become big problems. This allows for less expensive treatment overall, not to mention less time wearing braces and other orthodontic accessories.
Generally speaking, it’s recommended that a child sees an orthodontist by the age of 7. Ideally, the child will see an orthodontist at the age of 5 or 6.
This is still very early on in the development of a child’s teeth and jaws. As such, a trained orthodontist can assess impending patterns in the growth of the teeth and jaws, and facilitate preventative treatment.
It’s also just nice to know where a child stands in terms of their orthodontic health. This way, you can plan and save for future treatment, plus ensure that you’re tracking any changes that occur over time.
Improve the Patient’s Self Esteem
Children are able to get braces just as soon as their adult teeth grow in. In fact, in some cases, they can get them even before all of these teeth have grown in. This usually occurs between the ages of 9 and 14.
Well, you were young once. And you’re likely well aware of just how self-conscious kids can be about their looks. This is particularly as they inch toward adolescence.
This is why it’s wise to get orthodontic treatment out of the way early. By starting orthodontic treatment at, say, 10 years old, your child could have a fully straight set of teeth by the time they turn 12.
On the other hand, if they wait, they could go through their early teen years with either crooked teeth or a mouth full of braces. This is nothing to be ashamed of but it can still have a negative impact on a teen’s self-esteem.
Minimize Tooth Decay
Another big benefit of early orthodontic treatment is that it minimizes tooth decay. This has to do with straightening crooked teeth.
Think about it: when a tooth is crooked, parts of its surface are difficult to reach with a toothbrush. Because the toothbrush has trouble reaching these areas, they tend to incur more plaque accumulation. This results in increased decay over time.
But if those teeth were straight, all portions of the tooth’s surface would be easy to reach with a toothbrush. This would allow for optimal brushing and, therefore, minimal tooth decay in the long run.
Remember, your child’s adult teeth have to last for the next 70 to 100 years. You can’t have them incurring undue decay this early on in their existence.
Keep Teeth Grinding to a Minimum
A problem that many kids suffer from is teeth grinding. This generally occurs in the child’s sleep, particularly when that child has misaligned jaws. Over time, it can result in all sorts of TMJ issues, not to mention increased tooth decay.
Fortunately, there’s something you can do to keep a child’s teeth grinding to a minimum. Namely, you can provide your child with orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontic treatment can be used to properly align your child’s jaws, thus staving off teeth grinding almost entirely. The earlier your child receives said treatment, the less damage they’ll do to their teeth; it’s as simple as that.
Correct Speech Issues
Does your child suffer from speech issues? If so, it could be their teeth and jaws that are to blame.
After all, the teeth and jaws interact with the tongue in order to form specific sounds. If the teeth and jaws aren’t where they’re supposed to be, they could cause lisps, stammers, slurs, and more.
The fix, of course, is to implement orthodontic treatment, namely braces. And, when trying to correct speech, the sooner that treatment is implemented, the better off your child will be.
In fact, if you wait too long to facilitate orthodontic treatment, your child could have trouble ever getting past their speech issues. So, put simply, time is of the essence.
Ensure That the Adult Teeth Grow Correctly
One last benefit of getting early orthodontic treatment for your child is that you ensure that their adult teeth grow in correctly. See, it’s possible to realign the angle at which a tooth grows. Braces can serve as a guide for the tooth, ensuring that it doesn’t come in crooked.
The alternative is to let the tooth grow crooked and then realign it after the fact. The problem with this is that it’s more difficult and therefore takes a longer time. Not to mention, it can result in undue tooth decay due to brushing and flossing troubles.
So, if you want your child to have the straightest and healthiest teeth possible, have them undergo early orthodontic treatment. You will save yourself and your child substantial amounts of stress and grief.
Need Early Orthodontic Treatment in Louisville?
As you can see, the benefits of early orthodontic treatment are many. Are you in need of early orthodontic treatment in Louisville? Looking for a reputable Louisville orthodontist?
If so, you needn’t look any further than White, Greer, Maggard Orthodontics. We’ve provided orthodontic treatment to countless patients, from young teenagers to adults and everyone in between. Regardless of your orthodontic needs, our skilled and experienced team can help you.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment!