Crooked or misaligned teeth don't only affect children's appearances and self-esteem, they can also put their oral health and general health at risk. Catching orthodontic problems early improves the chance of your child having a healthy smile they can be happy with.
If your child's dentist thinks they might have an orthodontic problem, they may recommend an assessment or refer them to a specialist orthodontist. They can recommend the most suitable orthodontic treatment to help them and give you all the information you need to decide if it's the right choice.
Most orthodontic treatments begin after a child has grown all of their permanent teeth, around the age of 11 to 13. Since the teeth and jaws are still developing at this age, braces have a higher chance of success for straightening teeth and correcting bites.
Orthodontic problems may be diagnosed at a younger age if your child's dentist or orthodontist thinks they could benefit from early intervention. Issues such as crooked, protruding or misaligned teeth may be detected as early as 7 to 9 years. Addressing these problems early could also help the permanent teeth growing beneath.
A dentist can determine if your child needs braces or a different treatment when examining their teeth, but you should book an appointment at the dental clinic if you notice possible signs that your child's teeth and jaws may not be developing normally.
A dentist or specialist orthodontist can examine your child's mouth and discuss any treatments that could help to straighten their smile.
Your child's dentist or orthodontist will examine their teeth and jaws, which may involve dental x-rays and taking an impression of their bite to help plan their treatment. Orthodontic treatments include:
If you think your child could benefit from orthodontic treatment, contact Swish Dental to book an appointment with our specialist orthodontist Dr Lesley Short. We can examine their mouth and discuss the best treatment options to straighten their smile.
Australian Dental Association. Teeth Straightening [Online] 2016 [Accessed September 2019] Available from: https://www.ada.org.au/Your-Dental-Health/Teens-12-17/Teeth-Straightening
Better Health Channel. Orthodontic treatment [Online] 2018 [Accessed September 2019] Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/orthodontic-treatment