Early orthodontic treatment is a preventive measure that can help protect a child’s teeth and gums from future dental issues. It helps to ensure that your child’s permanent teeth develop correctly in order for them to have a healthy smile throughout their adult years. Early orthodontic treatment works by using braces, clear aligners, or appliances such as expanders and space maintainers to gently guide developing teeth into proper alignment. In this blog, our orthodontist in Morristown will tell you about how Early orthodontic treatment prevents dental issues.
Adult Dental Issues
Uncorrected misalignment of teeth from early years can lead to many issues that can crop up later in adulthood. Some examples include:
#1 – Teeth Crowding
Teeth that are not aligned correctly can cause overcrowding, which is a common issue seen in adults. Crowded teeth can lead to difficulty in brushing, and flossing can make it harder to properly clean the teeth, leading to tooth decay.
Crowding is one of the adult orthodontic issues that early monitoring is able to intercept. As your child’s permanent teeth slowly erupt, early orthodontic treatment can help to ensure that they are in the right position in order to prevent overcrowding.
#2 – Spacing or Gapping
Gapping between teeth is another common adult orthodontic issue. If early alignment isn’t monitored and corrected, gaps can start to appear between teeth, resulting in an unattractive smile.
Early orthodontic treatment can identify if a child is likely to have an issue with gapping and can help to remedy the problem using early intervention techniques such as braces.
#3 – Bite Problems
Bite problems include an overbite, underbite, and crossbite among others. These happen when the teeth and jaw are misaligned, resulting in an improper bite. Bite problems can cause pain and difficulty when eating or speaking, as well as add to the risk of periodontal disease.
An incorrect bite can also affect a person’s face shape, leading to an asymmetric look. As we age, these issues only get worse without early intervention. Early orthodontic treatment helps to correct and maintain the proper positioning of your child’s teeth, jaw, and facial structure to help prevent future adult orthodontic issues.
Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment
#1 – Shorter Treatment Time
Early orthodontic treatment is a great way to ensure your child’s teeth are developing correctly and can greatly reduce the amount of treatment time they will need in the future. By intercepting early issues, it means that more invasive treatments such as braces are not required once the child reaches adulthood.
#2 – Cost Savings
Early orthodontic treatment also helps to save money in the long run. Correcting issues early can greatly reduce the cost of future treatments, saving parents time and money.
#3 – Healthier Teeth & Gums
Aside from the cosmetic benefits early orthodontic treatment provides, it also helps to ensure that your child’s teeth and gums are healthy. By correcting early issues, it helps to reduce the risk of gum disease, cavities, and other dental problems in adulthood.
Orthodontics for Kids in Morristown NJ
At Goldkind Family Orthodontics in Morristown, NJ we provide early orthodontic treatment for children to help prevent adult dental issues. With early treatment, our orthodontist and team can monitor and intervene while your child’s teeth and jaw are still developing, allowing us to provide solutions to ensure your child has a healthy, beautiful smile as an adult.
Aside from early treatment in Morristown, Dr. Goldkind and his staff welcome patients of all ages, and we deliver personalized care for each individual who walks through our doors. We offer all types of orthodontic treatments such as metal and clear braces, Invisalign® aligners, early growth-development treatment, and Forsus appliance.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Goldkind and receive a treatment plan based on your or your child’s needs! We welcome all patients from Flanders, Morris Plains, Mendham, Randolph, Cedar Knolls, Florham Park and the surrounding areas of Morris County NJ.