MHO's Growing Smiles Club
When should my child first see the orthodontist?
What is the difference between early (Phase One) orthodontic treatment and regular orthodontic treatment, and why might my child need early treatment?
How will early treatment benefit my child in the long run?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist for an evaluation at age seven. At this point, our orthodontists, Dr. Mack and Dr. Hansen can determine if any early intervention might be needed.
If no intervention is needed, then children enter into our Growing Smiles Club (and get some cool MHO swag). We then monitor their growth and development as they get older with visits every 9-12 months.
The best part? This Growing Smiles Club is entirely complimentary and FREE of charge.
Early treatment (also known as Phase One) typically begins around age eight or nine (Phase Two will begin around age 11 or older) and typically lasts anywhere from 6-12 months. The goal of early orthodontic treatment is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems, such as an underbite and crossbite, before they get any worse.
Sometimes early braces treatment consists of an expander, also referred to as a spacer. Early treatment also helps to make room for the permanent teeth to come in properly, lessening the chance of extractions or impactions in the future.
While not every child needs early orthodontic treatment, having them in for a Free Smile Consult allows our orthodontists to establish a baseline of records from which Dr. Mack and Dr. Hansen can reference as your child grows into their early teens. If any regular orthodontic treatment is eventually indicated, this will allow Dr. Mack and Dr. Hansen to start treatment at the time when it will be the most efficient and effective for your child.
How to tell if your child may need early orthodontic treatment (braces or invisalign):
- Early or late loss of baby teeth (your child should typically start losing teeth around age five, and will have all permanent teeth around age 13)
- Difficulty chewing and/or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Your child continues sucking his or her thumb after age five
- Speech impediments
- Protruding teeth (the top teeth and the bottom teeth extend away from each other)
- Teeth that don't come together in a normal manner or even at all
- Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes his or her mouth (crossbites)
- Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
What causes orthodontic problems, and how will early orthodontic treatment with braces or invisalign benefit my child?
Orthodontic problems such as crowding of the teeth, too much space between the teeth, jaw growth problems, protruding teeth, and bad bites can be inherited or caused by injury to the mouth, early or late loss of baby teeth, or thumb-sucking habits.
Most children lose all of their baby teeth by age 13, and by the end of their teen years, the jaw bones will harden and stop growing. Seeing an orthodontist early and receiving early orthodontic treatment as a child can help prevent complications during Phase II orthodontics, decreasing the chance of extractions or surgery in the future.
If your child is between the ages of seven and nine and shows signs of needing orthodontic care, or if you have been directed by your dentist to visit the orthodontist, feel free to reach out to our orthodontic office in Longview (a short drive from Marshall, Kilgore, Gilmer, and Mount Pleasant) and schedule a Free Consultation. When you come in for your visit we will take a set of photos and diagnostic x-rays. Then Dr. Mack or Dr. Hansen will perform an oral exam, discuss with you their findings and if any treatment is indicated. If no treatment is needed, then they enter into MHO's Growing Smiles Club (and get some cool MHO gear)!
If you have any further questions about braces, invisalign, early orthodontic treatment or would like to set up a FREE Smile Consult for you or your child, please give our Longview Orthodontist Office a call at 903-212-7737 or click HERE.
