Why Your Child Should See an Orthodontist
Misalignment of teeth begins at a young age. This is why it is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists that children should get their first orthodontic screening before they turn seven years old. It is the right time to assess the health of their teeth and mouth, whether they have malocclusions or none. At Exeter Orthodontics, we believe that this is crucial for children’s overall oral health as it can prevent worse diseases or disorders in the future. Our team of orthodontists suggest that the earlier they are evaluated, the sooner it is for us to know if braces are necessary. If not, then this will determine what kind of treatment plan is best to take. It is common among children to feel scared of orthodontic clinics and apparati, but with our child-friendly environment and high standard procedures, we can alleviate the fear of your kid/s.
Not all overcrowded teeth result in a bigger problem. In some cases, they only grow into expanding mouths. Unfortunately to some, they continue to squeeze especially when not treated early. Other problems also include open bite, crossbite, overbite, and underbite. Through the evaluation of our Harrisburg orthodontist, he will be able to determine which among the problems occur in your child’s teeth. This means he will tell you whether braces are needed or not.
It is important to know that the phases of orthodontic treatment will depend on the development stage of your kid’s teeth. Our Harrisburg orthodontist may recommend two phases if your child’s primary teeth will most likely bring a negative impact to the birth of his/her permanent teeth. The first phase is done between ages seven to ten years old. This is when the jaw bones and palette of children are still flexible. The second phase is done when the child reaches twelve. This is when adolescent braces can align the permanent teeth to the right places, making your child’s smile straighter and better. Each phase may last up to 30 months, although it will depend on the severity of teeth disorder. If you think your child needs braces, visit our clinic at Harrisburg and see how our orthodontists can help him/her.
