Orthodontic Issues at Different Stages of Growth You Shouldn’t Ignore

Everyone deserves a healthy, confident smile. Most people are usually not sure if they require orthodontic treatment, and if they are, they don’t know when the best time to start treatment is. As a result, it’s easy to live with a teeth problem that can result in oral health issues in the future. It’s essential to look for an orthodontist for all ages who will help identify teeth problems and treat them before they pose serious health issues. Let’s look at the possible orthodontic issues you should keep an eye on in different growth stages.

Children

Although there’s no specific age to take your child to an orthodontist, the recommended age to start orthodontic visits is around age 7. During that time, your baby would have started having permanent teeth. It becomes easy for your orthodontist to diagnose tooth and jaw issues and correct them minus surgery.

To know if your child requires orthodontic care, look out for the following signs:

• Biting or chewing difficulty
• Mouth breathing
• Finger/thumb sucking
• Early/late loss of deciduous teeth
• Misplaced, blocked, or crowded teeth
• Crowded front teeth at about age 7 or 8
• Abnormal tooth spacing
• Jaws that make sounds or pop
• Teeth and jaws that are disproportionate to your child’s face

When you take your child to an orthodontist for all ages, the specialist will examine their problem and start an early orthodontic treatment—this will prep your kid for a beautiful, healthy smile in the future.

Teens

Orthodontic problems don’t get better with as you get older. Instead, they can become more challenging to treat the more a person grows. During adolescence, it’s easy to treat most of the orthodontic issues since the body is still malleable and growing fast. By around the ages of 11 to 13, most kids would have already lost baby teeth, and permanent teeth have developed.

Your teen needs to visit an orthodontist for all ages if they experience any of the problems below.

• Chewing or biting difficulty
• Have teeth that meet oddly
• Overcrowded teeth
• A lot of space between teeth
• Jaws that make noises or shift
• Self-confidence/self-esteem issues which result from their smile

The orthodontist will recommend a treatment plan depending on the needs of your teen. It may involve metal braces, clear braces, clear aligners, or any other that may deem fit. Your teen has to adhere to the orthodontic method’s instructions to hasten the treatment process. That way, the treatment will take a shorter period, and they’ll begin having confident smiles soon after.

Adults

It’s still possible to get orthodontic treatment as an adult. The American Association of Orthodontists estimates that about 25% of all orthodontic patients are beyond 21 years. Like teens, most adults seek orthodontic treatment for aesthetic purposes.

The following issues warrant a visit to an adult orthodontist office:

• Worn teeth as a result of a misaligned bite
• Gum disease
• Tilting/Shifting caused by open space between teeth
• Retreatment of previous orthodontic treatment
• Bad bite
• Crowded or spaced teeth
• Abnormal jaw pressure or pain

Adults have distinct needs from teens and children and thus require extra care and attention. During the initial consultation, the orthodontist for all ages conducts a thorough orthodontic examination then discusses your situation and the best treatment option with you.

Are You Ready for Orthodontic Treatment?

At Best Smiles Orthodontics, we aim to address orthodontic problems for everyone. Dr. Adam Best is an orthodontist for all ages and can treat practically any teeth misalignment issues. If you suspect you, your child, or your teen has an orthodontic problem, contact us today for a consultation and subsequent orthodontic services. We will examine your situation and advise you on the way forward.