Orthodontics
Did you know that getting early orthodontic care could mean better overall oral health and less required treatment later? This is why early orthodontic care is such an integral part of a good preventative dental health care strategy.
Orthodontic care is the premier aspect of preventative dental care. By straightening and positioning the teeth into an ideal shape, they become easier to take care of, are less likely to contract diseases, and even offer an enhanced level of aesthetic well-being.
Early Care Ideal for Orthodontics
A few generations ago, orthodontic care was popular for teens aged 14 to 17. With advancements in care, children are starting to get orthodontic care at a much younger age. Depending on the oral health and dental maturity of a child, some kids are able to start wearing braces as young as the age of 7. This could mean healthier teeth later on in life, and greater control over their long-term dental wellbeing.
The optimal age for orthodontic care depends on personal factors regarding your child, so the best way to know when your child is ready for braces is to stay up to date with your preventative care appointments. This way, we can keep a close eye on the development of your child’s teeth and can step in early to help them grow healthy and strong.
Braces take time to get used to and require adjustment. Younger children tend to handle this adjustment period better, as there is frequently less social repercussion of braces at a young age when compared to the teenage years.
Benefits of Orthodontic Care
Early orthodontics comes with all of the same great benefits of orthodontics in the teenage years, but with an added advantage of early adaptability — thus helping your child to develop into puberty and adulthood with healthy, well-aligned teeth.
Benefits of orthodontic care include:
People who have orthodontic care early on in life are less likely to experience dental chipping and wear later on.
When teeth are well-aligned, they are less likely to decay and collect food debris.
Aligned teeth have a reduced chance of developing gum disease, gingivitis, or other dental diseases.
Strong teeth encourage optimal digestion and chewing.
In addition to these physical health benefits, there are aesthetic reasons to take advantage of orthodontic care early on in life. For instance, straight teeth are associated with an enhanced level of attractiveness, which could mean greater self-esteem, improved self-acceptance and confidence, and even greater social and career opportunities down the road.
Our Orthodontics Team
To make things easy for our patients, Dr Jessica Crews DMD, MS and Dr Kelsey Wahl DDS of Joy Orthodontics Group come to our office a few times each month to see our patients.
Contact us today for more information.