When discussing orthodontic care, many people assume treatment is reserved for teens and adults only. However, children in Fort Worth, TX, with developing misalignment also benefit from treatment, which can reduce the amount of time needed to wear braces in their teen and adult years. In today’s blog, we’re going to look at when children benefit from orthodontic care.
Preventing Trouble Down the Road
When children begin to develop misalignment, this could have major impacts on oral health in the future. For example, even with daily brushing and flossing, removing food particles can be difficult. As bits of food trapped between uneven teeth become broken down, this elevates oral acidity and coats the teeth in plaque buildup, a process that leads to a greater risk of tooth decay and gum disease. The pressures poor alignment may place on the jaw joints could also increase the risk of TMJ disorder and bruxism (chronic teeth grinding) in adulthood as well. By starting the treatment process in childhood, you help improve the appearance of the smile and prevent serious complications down the road.
When to See Your Orthodontist
When your child reaches the age of seven, he or she may benefit from a routine exam. Using advanced technology, we will take detailed digital images of your smile, including digital x-rays, and use the information we gather to assess the cause and potential for poor alignment. From there, we can formulate a treatment plan. Remember, the sooner we begin treatment for your child, the less time he or she may need to wear major orthodontics, such as braces or clear aligners, in their teen or adult years.
Treatment Options
We begin with interceptive orthodontics, which help guide the growth of the jaw and oral structures and start correcting developing misalignment. These may include retainers, teeth-spacers, aligners, and other options. Our team will create a personalized treatment plan and offer detailed instructions for the care and treatment of the smile. Our team will be happy to address any questions you or your little one may have, and will walk you through the entire treatment process. As your child ages, we may then discuss cosmetic orthodontics to complete treatment, such a braces with lifelike, tooth-colored brackets or possibly clear Invisalign® aligners crafted from a comfortable and barely visible acrylic material. To learn more, visit our website or give our office a call to schedule a consultation.
Do You Need to See the Orthodontist?
We want to help children enjoy healthier smiles by correcting misalignment. To schedule your consultation and discuss our approach to children’s orthodontics, then please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in Haslet, Azle, and all surrounding communities.
