Remember when you’d hear of kids having to wear head gear?
Today, we know that such drastic intervention in helping teeth into proper alignment can be avoided. Healthy smiles with properly-aligned teeth can occur faster and simpler through early guidance. 
Parents are being advised to have children orthodontically evaluated earlier than once felt. It is now wisely recommended to have children evaluated as soon as permanent teeth start to emerge, around the age of 7. This early guidance can save you and your child greatly in treatment time and future costs.
Certainly, children who have signs of tooth emerging problems should be seen promptly by an orthodontist. However, problems are not always obvious. This is why an evaluation of children as larger, permanent teeth descend (at around age 7) is advised.
Through imaging and an ortho exam, an orthodontic specialist can predict what is likely to occur and how future problems can be avoided.
Of course, not every child needs braces. For those who do, early guidance offers unique advantages:
1). Since younger children have softer, more malleable bones, the jaws are more cooperative if there is need to ease them into a more ideal position.
2). The bones of younger children grow at a faster pace so early intervention requires less time than waiting until they are older.
3). Early guidance can help to prevent crowding; preventing it is a lot easier than repositioning fully emerged teeth.
4). Early intervention may also prevent the need for extractions that can result from crowding.
5). Braces may aid in coaxing impacted teeth out from a “stuck” position in the jaw, avoiding surgery down the road.
Straight teeth are easier to keep clean and help a child chew better and speak more clearly. However, adults also know that a healthy smile of straight teeth can boost self-esteem. (That’s why we see more and more adults in them!)
Our Shelby Township dental office provides children, teens and adults with complete dental care, including orthodontic evaluation and treatment by Dr. Jessica Delgado, a Board Certified Orthodontist.
As a specially-trained Neuromuscular Dentist, Dr. Ban Barbat adds, “I see so many adults who have suffered for decades with the repercussions of a misaligned bite. This can lead to issues with the TMJ (jaw joints) and result in frequent headaches, migraines, night-time clenching and grinding, ear ringing, dizziness, and difficulty opening the mouth fully. Having straight teeth at an early age can help in the prevention of these problems in adult years.”
How do you determine if your child really needs braces? We always offer a free consultation. And, for a limited time, we are making it even easier for parents to have their child evaluated!
Now through June 20, 2019, take advantage of this Limited Time Offer to have your child (or you!) evaluated:
Call to arrange a consultation time for you or your child at: 586-739-2155 or tap here to begin.
