It is very important to treat any problems with alignment, overcrowding, and other orthodontic problems early. If left untreated, your child may have more problems down the line. They will be more likely to have tooth decay, gum disease, and/or damage to the jaw joints.

The most common reason that children and young adults need braces is to fix a malocclusion (bad/uneven bite). This is commonly seen in children who used to (or still do) suck their thumbs, and used (or still use) pacifiers. If they continue to suck for long periods of time, their teeth can actually get pushed out into a different position, which affects their bite.

Young children often have too many teeth coming in at once, which causes overcrowding, pain, and sometimes restricts the rest of their adult teeth from growing properly. This also affects their bite and jaw alignment.

Normal jaws meet at the same point, allowing you to open and close your jaw evenly. A correct bite allows you to eat and speak normally. If your teeth or jaws do not have an even bite, you will have trouble with eating, speaking, and much more.

Ideally, orthodontists recommend starting treatment as early as possible. It’s recommended that children visit the orthodontist for the first time at age seven. At that time, we can monitor their mouths and growth, starting treatment at the first opportunity we see. To get the best results, the ideal age to wear braces is usually between seven and fourteen years old.

For more information or to request an appointment, contact us today at (214) 484-8488.

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