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What is the difference between regular orthodontic treatment and early or preventive orthodontic? Can orthodontic treatment work for children, and if so, are there any long-term benefits if done early?
When children reach the age of one year, they should start visiting the dentist or do this earlier when their first tooth comes in, as recommended by the Australian Dental Association. It may seem very early, but prevention is always better than cure. While the recommendation to visit an Orthodontist is about seven years. But ideally, to get an orthodontist, children can start treatment depending on the problems in your child’s oral health.
The first step in this early treatment is screening, many benefits from there; we can detect whether the growth of the child’s jaw and the bite’s position is developing correctly. Doing the treatment will avoid many losses in the future, like the possibility of tooth loss or other oral health problems.
Various orthodontic problems and the importance of early prevention
For example, orthodontic problems, lots of space between teeth, imperfect jaw growth, improper bite position will impact oral health. Factors contributing to orthodontic problems include thumb sucking and early or late loss of baby teeth (usually, all baby teeth fall out by the time they are 13 years old). Adult orthodontic procedures are more complicated; they will cost a lot and take a long time because they involve oral surgery and tooth extraction. Therefore, receiving early preventive orthodontics is the right first step.
Preventive orthodontics allows:
- Monitor jaw growth and development
- Helping the growth of permanent teeth to be in the correct position (This will be significantly related to our appearance later)
- Optimizing oral hygiene habits
- Prevent the occurrence of more complex oral health problems
Some signs that your child needs early preventive orthodontic treatment :
- Biting or chewing issues
- Speech disorders
- Late or premature loss of baby teeth
- Your child continues thumb sucking after age 5
- Teeth that grow in the wrong position
- Jaw shifts when your child opens or closes his mouth
- Crowded front teeth
What to Expect During Early Treatment
Total oral health certainly includes this early preventive care. We will have more confidence because the shape of the mouth and teeth are good, and we have fresh breath, which will continue for long-term health.
Here’s what you can expect when you take your child for preventive care:
Clinical Examination
The things that will be examined and reviewed in this examination are the development and growth of the face, jaw, and gums.
Regular dental checkups
- Clean teeth thoroughly (plaque, tartar, and other stains)
- Consult on what to do to avoid cavities
- Encourage the use of fluoride in dental and oral care products.
- Ask dentists to show how to floss and brush their teeth properly.
Digital X-Ray
To complete your child’s examinations, both orthodontists and dentists use digital X-rays not to miss various conditions in the mouth. and this will be used as a reference for prevention of early treatment