But today, you’ll more frequently see children wearing braces, invisalign or other orthodontic devices as early as middle school. And there’s a good reason for that. 

Early orthodontic intervention, particularly in patients with complex bite issues, can begin even before permanent teeth erupt. Addressing issues such as crowding, palate size, or other jaw issues as part of a phased treatment approach may simplify later treatments when permanent teeth come in. 

How early should “early intervention” start?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic examination before age 7. By this age, there is usually sufficient jaw development and enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to tell if there are any orthodontic problems in the child. 

How do you know if you should start even earlier?

There are some special circumstances when visiting an orthodontist before age 7 is advisable. Most often, these include situations where problems are already present or when typical development seems off pace For example:

Early or late loss of baby teeth

The normal loss of baby teeth starts around the age of 6-7 and generally stops around age 12. So, if your child is losing his or her teeth much earlier or later than around the normal age, it may indicate an underlying orthodontic problem. 

A problem in chewing or biting

If your child is experiencing difficulty in chewing or biting, it may indicate a tooth or jaw problem. For instance, your child has to shift jaw to chew properly or often complain about sore teeth and gums while chewing. 

Habits such as thumb sucking

If your child still has the habit of thumb sucking by the time permanent teeth have started erupting, it may result in protruding upper teeth, crowded lower front teeth, and slight speech problems such as lisping. After exhausting other attempts to break the habit, orthodontic devices may help. 

Misaligned, protruding, crowded, misplaced, or crooked teeth

If your child’s permanent teeth are erupting irregularly and are growing crooked, it may cause discomfort or make your child self-conscious about his or her smile. 

Overbite, Underbite or Crossbite

These conditions are mostly hereditary and can result in unnecessary grinding and wearing down of your child’s teeth. It can also interfere with jaw development and possibly contribute towards serious conditions like Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ).

Clenching or grinding teeth leading to TMJ disorders

Clenching or grinding teeth, known as bruxism, not only gradually wears down the enamel of teeth but also puts excessive pressure on the bones and joints of jaws. 

Slight speech problems

Words are correctly formed and the talking speed is regulated when our tongues are free to move around. If the child’s jaw structure or the placement of the teeth restricts the tongue movement, the child is more likely to have speech issues such as stuttering or slurring.

Facial asymmetry

If you notice facial abnormalities -- such as teeth that are too large for the jaws, or teeth and jaws that are disproportionate to the rest of the face -- your child may benefit from early orthodontic treatment.

What does the early treatment include?

Early orthodontic treatment Is generally divided Into two phases. The first focuses on the correction of bite issues and jaw development. This phase also helps make appropriate room for the normal eruption of permanent teeth. It usually starts around age 8 or 9 and is followed by a resting period to allow for permanent teeth to grow in.

The second phase, which begins after the resting period, involves full dental braces for both upper and lower teeth. Patients today may choose from metal braces, traditional braces, clear braces, removable braces, or Invisalign, depending on the type of treatment and budget. This phase typically starts around age 11 to 14.

What Are the Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment?

Apart from a beautiful simple, improved oral health and reduced chances of oral problems such as gum diseases, early orthodontic treatment also offers the following long-term benefits:

● Reduces the need for painful and expensive tooth extraction in the future by creating appropriate space for permanent teeth. 

● Reduces the pain of tooth movement during treatment because bones are more pliable in younger children. 

● Reduces treatment time required in braces. 

● Reduces the need for complicated and expensive jaw or orthodontic surgeries later.

Finding the right treatment at the right time

Regardless of age, there are orthodontic treatment options available for kids in the Pelham, Helena, Alabaster, Calera, and Oak Mountain areas - to help achieve almost any treatment goal. Many orthodontic problems may be easier, less painful, and less expensive to correct if they are found and treated early. 

If you're in the Pelham, Helena, Alabaster, Calera, and Oak Mountain areas and want to look into braces or invisalign for your child, talk to the team at OrthoSouth about scheduling a consultation with Dr. Boggan or Dr. Syed. They can quickly evaluate your current situation, share your options for the next steps and recommend possible treatment, so you can start planning a healthy, beautiful smile.