Orthodontics For Children

Has your child been evaluated by an orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children are seen by an orthodontist by age of 7 years. By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, making it easier for the orthodontist to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner. Orthodontics for kids prevents more serious problems from developing.  Early orthodontic treatment can benefit almost half of children and boost their confidence.

Early treatment is shorter, less complicated and less expensive.

Orthodontics for kids may include basic orthodontic appliances or partial braces. It aims to:

• Correct and guide jaw growth
• Create more space for crowded teeth
• Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
• Encourage ideal positioning of adult teeth
• Lower the risk of injury to the front teeth
• Improve your child’s esthetics and self-esteem
• Change harmful habits like thumb sucking and help with speech correction

How do I know that my child needs braces?

All children should be seen by an orthodontist for a detailed smile analysis, but here are a few things to look for that may mean your child needs to see an orthodontist:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Thumb, finger or pacifier sucking habit
• Discomfort while chewing or biting food
• Breathing through the mouth
• Crowded or blocked out teeth
• Front teeth sticking out
• Top and bottom teeth do not meet when biting down
• Top and bottom teeth do not line up when biting down
• Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face

Early treatment now will give your child a healthy and beautiful smile for the future. Please call us at (845) 786-7736 or contact us to schedule an appointment for an orthodontic evaluation. We would love to get to know you and your child, and ensure you are doing everything you can to protect your child’s smile.