- Problems to Watch for in Children Age 6 to 8
- The Best Time to Begin Early Orthodontic Treatment
- The Advantages of Early Orthodontic Treatment
- Correcting Bad Habits
- Early Treatment Reviews
- Is Your Child a Candidate for Early Treatment?
- Start Safeguarding Your Child's Smile Today!
- Book Now
Problems to Watch for in Children Age 6 to 8
As a parent, you want your child to have a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime. A part of achieving this is bringing your child in to see an orthodontist at an early age. Dr. Steven Mack and the entire team at Mack Orthodontics happily provide early orthodontic treatment as a means to ensure that your child's smile and mouth develop correctly.
Before you visit our Bettendorf or Eldridge office, you may have some questions about the process of early orthodontic treatment. As a part of our orthodontist's commitment to making your treatment and experience as comfortable as possible, here is everything you need to know about early orthodontic treatment with Mack Orthodontics.
The Best Time to Begin Early Orthodontic Treatment
An orthodontist can enhance your smile at any age. However, the optimal time to begin treatment is in early childhood. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends your child's initial orthodontic evaluation take place at the first sign of an orthodontic problem, or by age seven.
At this early age full orthodontic services like braces may not be necessary, but a vigilant examination allows your orthodontist to anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment. Additionally, commencing treatment at this time ensures the greatest long-term result and the least amount of time and expense.
Why Age Seven?
By the age of seven the first adult molars erupt, establishing the back bite. At this time your orthodontist can evaluate front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships. From that analysis she can predict how your bite will develop. For example, the presence of erupting incisors can indicate possible overbite, open bite, crowding, or gummy smiles. The earlier these evaluations are completed, the higher the chance for an incredible smile.
The Advantages of Early Orthodontic Treatment
Early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems, and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. This intervention guides growth and development, preventing serious issues later on.
When orthodontic intervention is not necessary right away, Dr. Mack carefully monitors growth and development so she knows when is the most ideal time to begin orthodontic services like braces or Invisalign. Some of the most direct benefits of early orthodontic treatment are:
- Creating room for crowded, erupting teeth
- Improving facial symmetry by influencing jaw growth
- Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
- Preserving space for unerupted teeth
- Lowering the need for tooth removal
- Minimizing treatment time with braces
Correcting Bad Habits
Everyone has bad habits. However, childhood oral bad habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing can negatively influence the development and function of your child's teeth, jaws, and mouth.
Thumb sucking is a natural reflex in early childhood, which usually disappears between the ages of two and four. If it persists much later than that, the pressure of the digit on the front teeth and the upper jaw can cause the teeth to move apart and the jaws to change shape. This leads to the orthodontic problem known as "open bite," and may impair speech. Tongue thrusting creates similar problems.
Meanwhile, mouth breathing—an abnormal breathing pattern in which the mouth always remains open, passing air directly to the lungs—is related to alterations in the muscular function of the tongue and face. If left untreated, this condition can cause the upper and lower jaw to grow abnormally, which can lead to serious orthodontic problems. Various early orthodontic treatment options are available to help correct these detrimental dental and oral habits, and the sooner they're taken care of, the less damage they have the potential cause. That's one more reason to bring your child in for an early orthodontic visit with Dr. Mack.
Early Treatment Reviews
Last March the decision was made to get braces as an adult. My evaluation/introduction meeting went so much better than I expected. Dr. Mack listened to me, applied thoughtful consideration, and developed a compromise from what I wanted to what would work best for me for the best possible outcome. I really feel that Dr. Mack was genuinely looking out for my best interest, even if I didn’t know exactly what that was. I trusted him wholeheartedly. The day my braces were placed on, could have been awkward for an adult but the entire staff treated me like a person, not an older person, just a person. Every step of the process from pictures to the application I was well informed and no surprises. Next is the continuing care, each appointment I am never left waiting in the waiting room. I typically schedule my appointments in the Eldridge office and always have found a time that works for me. During the my visits, the staff is very professional and friendly. They seem to genuinely care about me not just as a patient but as a person. I have had to phone into the office for follow up questions, and everyone is able to help me, I am not kept on hold and my questions were answered quickly, patiently, and professionally, never rushed. I am almost through my time with Dr. Mack but I certainly would recommend him and his staff in the event you need Orthodontic care. Never once have I felt like just a number, I have always felt like a welcomed and valued patient. My experience was one that was very positive and if I had to do it again, I would chose Mack Orthodontics, Dr. Mack, and his staff all over again!
First experience at Mack Orthodontics was great! From the moment we walked into the door we were greeted with a warm welcome and a smiling face. Dr Mack himself is amazing and answered all of our questions. Definitely recommend this office to anyone looking for a beautiful smile.
Dr. Mack and his entire team are absolutely incredible! My son got his expander earlier this year and recently just got his braces. From the first consultation, Dr. Mack has been wonderful to work with - he is always so kind and informs us of what the next steps are so we know what to expect. He even checked in on my son the day after he got his braces to make sure he was doing well! Everyone in the office is so pleasant to work with. Mack Orthodontics is hands down the best ortho office in the QC!
Great experience at Mack Orthodontics! I felt like the team listened to and addressed my concerns, and explained things well. I am so happy with how my smile looks and how much better my bite feels. Highly recommend.
Dr. Mack is one of a kind! He cares about his patients and makes sure everything is going well with your braces.His crew are just as friendly and concerned on how your progress is coming.If and when you need braces, Mack Orthodontics is a phenomenal place to get your teeth straightened!!!
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Is Your Child a Candidate for Early Treatment?
Even if you like the way your smile looks, that doesn't mean you should skip out on orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontic treatment is not merely for improving the aesthetics of your smile; orthodontic treatment improves bad bites (malocclusions). Malocclusions occur as a result of tooth or jaw misalignment, and they affect the way you smile, chew, and clean your teeth. According to studies by the American Association of Orthodontists, untreated malocclusions can result in a variety of problems, including:
- Crowded teeth that are more difficult to properly brush and floss, and therefore are more prone to tooth decay and/or gum disease
- Protruding teeth that are more susceptible to accidental chipping
- Crossbites that can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear
- Bites that can result in tongue-thrusting habits and speech impediments
Start Safeguarding Your Child's Smile Today!
Orthodontics does more than make a pretty smile—it creates a healthier, happier you. So get your child started on early orthodontic treatment. A visit to your trusted Bettendorf and Eldridge orthodontist today is a step toward a future of strong and beautiful teeth. Contact us directly, or book an appointment online.
