When Should Orthodontic Treatment Begin

Most parents have become very conscious with their children’s over-all dental health. No wonder, hundreds of kids in the country have braces on their teeth. Other than that, it’s really all about confidence. A nice pair of teeth is always a plus factor.

Not everybody is required to undergo an orthodontic treatment. Your dentist will be able to determine if you need such dental treatment. Usually, those who are referred for orthodontic treatment are people with crooked teeth, cross bites and misaligned jaws.

So, when is the best time to have your teeth or that of you child’s referred for orthodontic treatment? Generally, it is best carried out an early stage. However, that does not mean that adults cannot have braces! Age is not really a factor when it comes to dental health.

Getting the best out of an orthodontic treatment should begin when a child is about 7 to 13 years of age. Human anatomy suggests that a child’s jaw is growing at its quickest by the age of 8 or 9. Thus, it is also the best time to reshape the mouth and to expand the jaw.

On a separate note, it is at the age of 12 or 13 that permanent teeth begin to come in. In which case, full orthodontic treatment is very ideal. Nevertheless, any time is the best time especially when a potential orthodontic problem sets in or becomes evident.

While it is true that the best time is during childhood, parents can’t sometime afford the cost of getting braces. One can always have braces even later in life. There can be drawbacks though.

It is a common knowledge that adults heal more slowly than children. As a result, the orthodontist will have to work on your procedure more slowly and gently as well. Any tooth movement will have to be done more slowly because your mouth has to be healed first between tightening appointments.

Finally, some of your teeth may even be extracted to make everything fit because jaw expansion is no longer applicable.

Looking good does not have an expiry date. All it takes is having the right resources.

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