Do you know why early orthodontic intervention is important for kids in Palmetto Bay? As a parent, you always want the best for your child. And that includes getting them a bright, healthy smile. Our Smiles of Palmetto Bay team agrees with the American Association of Orthodontists. The best time to bring your child to see Dr. Ross, Dr. Garcia, and Dr. Iglesias is at age seven. Here’s why you should schedule your free consultation ASAP and get your little one in for early treatment.
What is Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Early orthodontic treatment, or Phase One Orthodontics or Interceptive Treatment, refers to the orthodontic care we give to our younger patients. As we mentioned above, the AAO recommends an evaluation by age seven. Why seven? Because by then, most of your child’s baby teeth have fallen out. Their grown-up teeth have begun sprouting. At age seven, your child’s teeth and jaws undergo rapid changes, most of which can affect the rest of their lives.
Benefits of Phase One Orthodontics
Introducing your child to our orthodontic team offers several benefits for both your child and you. Dr. Ross, Dr. Garcia, and Dr. Iglesias have the expertise and know-how to keep your child comfortable through their entire treatment.
Early Detection
The main reason for early orthodontic treatment is to diagnose problems before they get worse. Moreover, undiagnosed orthodontic conditions can have negative consequences in other ways, too!
What should you look for that will tell you your little one needs to see our Palmetto Bay team? If you notice that your child is experiencing any of the following issues, please bring them into our office.
- Misaligned or Crowded Teeth: If your child’s teeth are crooked or packed together lije sardines, they could be suffering from “malocclusion.” Think of malocclusions as “bad bites.” It could be anything that keeps the teeth and jaws from lining up.
- Mouth Breathing: It’s generally best to breathe through your nose. If you notice your child consistently breathing through their mouth, it could indicate a deeper orthodontic issue.
- Difficulty Chewing or Biting: Is it hard for your child to bite or chew? Do they complain of pain or discomfort? If so, it’s time to bring them in to see Dr. Ross, Dr. Garcia, or Dr. Iglesias.
The sooner we can find and deal with these kinds of orthodontic problems, the sooner we can intervene. Early intervention is always better than fixing a problem on the backend.
Preempting Precarious Problems
Orthodontic dilemmas, like any other health problem, lead to further complications if our team doesn’t address them. What happens if you opt out of early orthodontic intervention? Your child might need more in-depth treatment later.
For example, crowding can be resolved by treatments like Invisalign or clear or metal braces. Dr. Ross, Dr. Garcia, and Dr. Iglesias have relocated dozens of crowded teeth. Our team has helped kids all across the Miami-Dade County area via early intervention.
Improving Overall Wellness
One common misconception about early orthodontic intervention is that it’s only focused on your child’s smile. While orthodontics does renew your child’s smile, you have to realize that the mouth is a package deal. Early intervention involves bones, muscles, and other tissues beyond the teeth. Plus, a functional smile doesn’t just look better—it works better.
Most people do not realize that teeth and jaw development affects other parts of their overall well-being, such as:
- Chewing and Digestion
Straighter teeth and an aligned bite make eating safer and more enjoyable. Insufficient chewing isn’t only a problem for your child’s teeth and jaws. What about the rest of their digestive system? Just because they swallowed something doesn’t mean it’s digestible. Unresolved orthodontic issues can complicate both chewing and digestion.
- Speech
Talking requires air. Air passes through your vocal cords and teeth, tongue, and jaws. These components help you create vibrations, which is how you speak. Bite issues can cause lisps or difficulty pronouncing certain words.
- Sleep
Dental or jaw misalignment can lead to sleep apnea, snoring, and bruxism (grinding or gnashing of the teeth). A misaligned jaw, for example, can contribute to your child having an obstructed airway. Similarly, a receding lower jaw can cause your child’s tongue to fall back into their throat. It blocks their airway as they sleep.
These issues, in turn, can affect other parts of your child’s development. Our doctors will be happy to answer any questions and give you more details about how early orthodontic intervention sets your child up for smile success.
Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem
One underrated benefit of early orthodontic intervention is how it helps your child’s mental and psychological development. Correcting issues with their teeth and jaws gives them a better smile — with no tooth out of place! Also, early orthodontic treatment guides the development of their facial structure, promoting more symmetrical features as they get older.
Improving your child’s appearance affects their confidence and self-esteem. Higher self-esteem increases their ability to build stronger relationships with friends and coworkers.
Lastly, getting your kids used to an orthodontist at an early age makes it easier for them to consult not just us but other medical professionals for advice and help.
Give Your Child a Bright, Healthy Smile
Small steps can create huge, lasting impacts on your child in Palmetto Bay. Early orthodontic intervention from Smiles of Palmetto Bay prepares them for a lifetime of stupendous smiles. Schedule your free consultation with Dr. Ross, Dr. Garcia, and Dr. Iglesias today.