It’s natural to have questions about orthodontic treatment for your child, especially if its the first child to get braces in your family…
How early can my child get braces?
One of the most common questions we get asked is how early is too early to get braces? While people of any age can benefit from braces, The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends children visit a registered specialist orthodontist for an assessment between the ages of 8-10 years old. This allows the orthodontist to evaluate your child’s teeth and determine if they may need early treatment. This includes existing teeth and those that are yet to break the surface.
What is early orthodontic treatment?
Some people get confused about what early orthodontic treatment is. It’s a treatment that takes place before braces when a child is 8-10 years old. Your orthodontist will be able to identify abnormalities earlier in your child’s life when their teeth and jaws are easier to manipulate. This is helpful for treating a variety of orthodontic problems such as protruding teeth, crowding, spacing and missing teeth before more serious problems start to develop.
How do I know if my child needs early orthodontic treatment?
There are several ways you can determine whether your kid may need early orthodontic treatment. If you observe any of these characteristics or behaviours, you should see an assessment from a specialist orthodontist:
- Early loss of baby teeth (before age five)
- If your child’s teeth do not meet properly at all when biting
- Mouth breathing and/or snoring
- If your child’s front teeth are crowded (you generally won’t see this until the child is about seven or eight years old)
- Protruding front teeth
- Biting or chewing difficulties
- A speech impediment
- If your child’s jaw shifts when he or she opens or closes the mouth
- If your child is older than five years and still sucks a thumb or finger
