Get a Head Start on a Beautiful Smile
As a parent in Lancaster, you want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a pleasing smile.
Dr. Howard and our Howard Orthodontics team will treat your children like our own by giving them the best possible orthodontic care.
Kids Should Get an Orthodontic Check-Up By 7
Ideally, children should be evaluated by an orthodontist by the age of 7. Even though you may think of teens when you think of braces, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a check-up no later than age 7.
Dr. Howard can determine if your child will benefit from early intervention, which can prevent serious problems from developing and shorten treatment time at a later age. He may also discover that your child’s bite is perfectly fine and simply recommend monitoring their growth and development.
What Is Early Treatment?
Early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.
In some cases, Dr. Howard will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
Choosing the Best Time for Treatment
While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they’re treated early.
If Dr. Howard thinks your child will need treatment, he’ll let you know when it will be best to begin treatment.
This gives your orthodontist the best chance to:
- Guide jaw growth
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child
- Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips, and face
Signs the Bite's Not Right
It's not always easy to tell when your child may need braces or has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem bite.
Here are some of the things we will look for when evaluating a young child:
- Crossbites of the front teeth where the top teeth are behind the bottom teeth.
- Excessive crowding of the top or bottom teeth may mean there isn’t enough space for all of the adult teeth.
- An open bite where the front teeth do not meet when the back teeth are closed.
- Front teeth that protrude into the “Fracture Zone.”
- Underbites, extremely deep bites, major spacing issues, or problematic oral habits.
Be sure to see an orthodontist right away if you notice any difficulty in chewing, biting, or speaking, mouth breathing, jaws that make sounds, teeth grinding, a facial imbalance, or biting on the roof of the mouth.
Learn More at Your Free Consultation
If your child has a dental issue, please contact us by setting up a free consultation at our Willow Street office.
We can talk about your child's orthodontic options and develop a treatment plan customized to your child's needs.