Did you know that braces can improve your child's speech and communication? Jaw development plays a critical role in speech clarity and confidence. Certain speech impairments, such as lisps, can be worsened by a misaligned jaw. Orthodontics in Bettendorf can help your child overcome their struggles and become a confident speaker, thanks to tailored treatment for their unique needs.
At Mack Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest-quality care to every patient, no matter their age or challenges. Each case is an opportunity for us to make a difference in someone's life. We're happy to help you support your child as they grow.
What Role Does Jaw Alignment Play in Speech?
The jaw makes it possible to articulate sounds clearly and enunciate words properly. If a child's jaw is misaligned, set too far back or forward, they may struggle to form certain words. Children who face criticism for their speech impairment may stop speaking as much, which lowers their language acquisition and makes it even harder for them to communicate with others.
Proper jaw alignment ensures a child's tongue, teeth, and lips can work together properly, form clear sounds, and enable articulate communication. If your child struggles to pronounce certain words or sounds, they may benefit from our orthodontics in Bettendorf or Eldridge orthodontic treatment.
How Pediatric Orthodontics Improves Speech
The focus of orthodontics is treating malocclusions, or misalignments of the jaw and teeth. Every person on Earth has a unique bite, which is the way their teeth and jaws come together. Because all of our bone structures are different, we also have unique jaw alignments. What makes an optimal alignment for one person can be completely different for another.
Pediatric orthodontics is unique in that it focuses on both prevention and correction. Early intervention, known as phase one and two treatments, can help prevent the need for more intensive orthodontics later.
Children have softer bones, making their jaws more malleable and responsive to early orthodontic care. Treatments like palate expanders can shift the teeth on the upper jaw to create more space on the roof of the mouth, which corrects crossbites and can address certain speech struggles without braces.
In other cases, children can benefit from braces or invisible aligners to gently reposition their jaws as they grow. The benefit of early treatment is that it is often more permanent and requires less retention care than adult orthodontics.
Treatment Timelines
A question we're often asked is, "How long will my child have to wear braces?" Every case is unique, and the timeline depends on several factors, such as your child's age, the type of treatment they receive, and the severity of their jaw misalignment.
Ultimately, we aim to make treatment fast, fun, and rewarding for our patients. We use leading technology and evidence-based practices to ensure our orthodontic care is as effective as possible.
Explore Orthodontics in Bettendorf or Eldridge
If you're interested in speaking with an orthodontist about your child, we're here to help. Please contact Mack Orthodontics to book an appointment at our Eldridge orthodontics office or schedule a visit to our office in Bettendorf, IA. We look forward to meeting you both!