If you’re looking for an orthodontist near Vancouver for your child, your first step should be to speak with your trusted pediatric dentist. They may be able to provide orthodontic treatment and evaluations that will help ensure your child’s long-term oral health. Getting an early orthodontic evaluation from a pediatric dentist can provide the best outcome and experience for your child.

Signs Your Child May Need Orthodontic Care

Orthodontic treatments are a common requirement for many children as they develop, and getting the ball rolling on these appointments as early as possible will provide better outcomes. Watching for these signs can help you know when it’s the right time to reach out to your dentist.

Crowded or Misaligned Teeth

Visually inspecting your child’s smile can help you spot areas of concern that may call for orthodontic care. For instance, you notice their teeth are too close together, too far apart, or crooked. These problems tend to become more noticeable as orthodontic troubles progress.

Difficulty Biting or Chewing

Your child may also experience difficulty eating due to an orthodontic issue, as the alignment of their bite plays a key role in being able to chew properly. Jaw pain is another common indicator that your child may need orthodontic treatment.

Persistent Bad Habits

Certain habits in early childhood can contribute to orthodontic issues. If your young child often sucks their thumb, for instance, they may be at risk of developing problems with their teeth as they grow. The same is also true of similar habits, such as pacifier use post-infancy and constant drinking from a sippy cup or bottle, as opposed to only using them sparingly as time goes on.

Recommended Age for an Orthodontic Evaluation

Many people associate braces (and orthodontic treatment in general) with their teenage years. However, starting at that point isn’t the best course of action; in fact, it’s quite late.

Scheduling an orthodontic evaluation while your child is at a much younger age is strongly recommended, even if they do not display any indicators of orthodontic issues. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends having an early orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven to identify and address any potential problems.

These early evaluations provide a vital starting point for orthodontics for kids. Your dentist can assess your child’s smile and bite to spot problems as early as possible and provide prompt treatment that can prevent the need for more involved orthodontic treatment down the line.

If your child’s orthodontic evaluation reveals any issues, their dentist can implement early orthodontic intervention. That can include a variety of different treatments and appliances that will adjust your child’s teeth or jaw to ensure proper health, function, and appearance.

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Intervention

Taking the simple step of scheduling an orthodontic evaluation can dramatically improve your child’s long-term oral health outlook. Untreated orthodontic problems can have serious consequences later in life, and what may be seemingly minor problems today will only worsen as your child continues to develop.

As a result, serious symptoms, such as having trouble chewing and speaking, may arise. Misaligned teeth also make it harder to implement effective oral hygiene, as bacteria and bits of food can hide in nooks and crannies. Getting your child the care they need today will help them avoid future issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss.

With early orthodontic treatment, your child can often avoid the need for a full course of traditional braces later in development. Not only will that ensure your child receives the best patient experience possible, but it can also help you save on overall treatment costs. An extended treatment timeline with braces can often be expensive.

Not to mention, when orthodontic issues are identified in older children, that kind of intense treatment is often required, which means more discomfort overall and the need to put up with the braces themselves for much longer.

Of course, your child will also enjoy the benefits of having a straighter smile. With a beautiful smile, they will feel more confident and can approach many different social situations more easily. Early orthodontic treatment can help your child feel the confidence they need to share their smile with the world as opposed to the need to hide it away.

Schedule your child’s orthodontic evaluation.

Identifying potential issues with your child’s oral health and starting orthodontic treatment early can reduce treatment timelines, improve outcomes, and provide a more comfortable experience for your child.

Must Love Kids provides a variety of orthodontic treatment options to support your child’s healthy development. Schedule an appointment today to get started.