Telopea Park Dental

Orthodontic Considerations for Children: Early Intervention and Treatment Options

June 25, 2023
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Posted By: Dr Eric Kropinak

As a parent, you have so many considerations when it comes to caring for your child, and it can certainly feel overwhelming when you think about all you have to do to keep them healthy and happy.

When it comes to getting your child an orthodontic evaluation, you may not think it’s necessary if your child isn’t having any issues with their teeth. However, there are several situations where early orthodontic intervention and treatment can help your child, especially before all their permanent teeth come in; let’s explore how early intervention can play an essential role in your child’s oral health.

Early Orthodontic Intervention and Treatment Options

Most but not all orthodontic interventions for children involve an issue with their bite, but here are the following issues that early interventions can potentially identify and treat:

  • Protruding teeth – If your child’s teeth stick out instead of pointing down, they are at risk for broken or chipped teeth.
  • Crossbite – If your child’s upper teeth are inside their lower teeth when they close their mouth, this is an orthodontic concern that may require attention.
  • Tongue thrusting or thumb sucking – If your child has a habit of sucking their thumb or thrusting their tongue, it can cause the bones in their palate to shift and may require orthodontic intervention.
  • Mouth breathing – If your child breathes through their mouth, it can result in an open bite, keeping their front teeth from coming together correctly.
  • Crowding – If your child’s mouth doesn’t have enough room for their permanent teeth to come in, the result may be crooked teeth, so an orthodontic visit can detect such an issue.
  • Spacing – Instead of insufficient room in your child’s mouth, they may have too much room for their permanent teeth. This spacing issue can result in gaps in their teeth.
  • Underbite – If your child’s lower jaw extends further than their upper jaw, it is known as an underbite and can cause their bottom front teeth to cover the top front teeth, resulting in potential orthodontic concerns.

Are You Looking for a Children’s Dentist in Garran, ACT?

We welcome your call if you would like to visit with a dental team member about your child’s oral health or any other dental issue. At Telopea Park Dental, we strive to help your entire family achieve dental health and a beautiful smile. Please feel free to call us on (02) 6106 9333.