Many children, pre-teens, and teenagers get braces to prevent overcrowding, close gaps, rotate teeth, and fix general crookedness. But how do you know when it is the right time for your child to get orthodontic treatment?
Braces help your child have a smile that is more attractive, as well as healthier and more functional. This will increase your child’s confidence and encourage them to smile, which will boost their mood. If teeth stay crooked or misaligned, it can negatively impact your child’s overall jaw movement and their ability to chew and talk properly. Moreover, crooked teeth are harder to clean and floss, which increases your child’s chances of developing tooth decay and gum disease.
THE RIGHT TIME FOR KIDS TO GET BRACES
We recommend that your child visit the orthodontist when they’re around seven or eight years of age. This is before they lose all of their baby teeth but they still have had a few adult teeth grow in. Your child’s orthodontist can carefully assess their teeth and jaw development to get a sense of current and impending issues.
Based on their findings, it’s possible that your child can receive interceptive orthodontic treatment, palate expanders, or space maintainers, which can actually cut down on the overall amount of time that they have braces. Some early treatment can even help prevent serious misalignment by guiding proper development.
If your child wouldn’t benefit from early treatment, the orthodontist can recommend an estimate of the right time to start braces!
TYPES OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT FOR KIDS
Laredo Orthodontics offers a few different types of orthodontic treatments, including traditional metal braces and clear aligners. We will work with you and your child to figure out the right treatment option that is within your budget, able to meet your child’s smile goals, and that they can take care of during treatment.
COMPREHENSIVE ORTHODONTICS IN LAREDO, TX
We love helping each of our patients achieve a smile that is healthier and more beautiful! Please contact Laredo Orthodontics to schedule an orthodontic consultation for your child or for yourself. And check out our financial page for information about our affordable payment options, including in-house financing and CareCredit.
