Children are getting braces at younger ages. Experts recommend that children see an orthodontist by the age of seven. There are many benefits that can be reaped from seeing an orthodontist at a young age.
At Ragan Orthodontics in Dallas, Dr. Michael Ragan can help patients of all ages including kids, teens and adults. Ragan Orthodontics offers a variety of treatments for his younger patients including different kinds of braces, expanders, mouth guards and AcceleDent. To find out how we can help you or your child, contact Ragan Orthodontics today to schedule your appointment.
Easier to Detect Orthodontic Problems
The permanent teeth typically start to grow in by the age of six or seven. Orthodontists can usually tell whether a patient will have tooth alignment problems once the permanent teeth start to erupt. It is ideal for a child to get an orthodontic evaluation by the age of six or seven because the bones are still growing.
Shorter Time Wearing Braces
The average person wears braces for 12 to 30 months. However, early orthodontic treatment has been shown to help reduce the amount of time that a person needs to wear braces.
May Eliminate the Need for Braces In The Future
Not only can orthodontic care shorten the time that one needs to wear braces, but it may also eliminate the need for braces completely. There are a number of things that orthodontist can do in order to ensure that the teeth grow into the proper position. For example, an orthodontist can use a palatal expander.
A palatal expander helps expand the upper dental arch. If the arch is the proper size, then the teeth will likely grow into their proper position. A palatal expander can help correct a variety of dental problems, including crowding.
In the past, extracting some of the permanent teeth was the only solution for crowding. Today, crowding can be eliminated with a palatal expander. Furthermore, early orthodontic care can correct a jaw that is not in the proper position. There are functional appliances that can be used to improve this problem.
Improve Overall Quality of Life
Orthodontic issues are not only a cosmetic concern. If a person’s teeth are not properly aligned, then this can affect many other parts of his or her life. For example, if a person has a crossbite, then it can cause the jaws to grow unevenly. This can make it harder for a person to chew and speak.
If a person suffers from protruding front teeth, then they are more likely to be injured in a fall or accident. That is why dental problems like protruding front teeth and crossbites have to be corrected as soon as possible.
