There are several ways that you can determine whether your child needs early treatment. If you observe any of these characteristics or behaviors, you should talk to Drs. Tushar and Keyur Shah.
Early loss of baby teeth (before age five)
Late loss of baby teeth (after age five or six)
The child’s teeth do not meet properly or at all
The child is a mouth breather
Front teeth are crowded (you won’t see this until the child is about seven or eight)
Protruding teeth, typically in the front
Biting or chewing difficulties
A speech impediment
The child’s jaw shifts when he or she opens or closes the mouth
The child is older than five years and still sucks a thumb
What are the benefits of seeking orthodontic treatment early?
Early orthodontic treatment is begun while the child’s jaw bones are still soft. They do not harden until the children reach their late teens. Because the bones are still pliable, corrective procedures such as braces work faster than they do for adults.
In short, early treatment at our Palos Hills office often allows your child to avoid lengthy procedures, extraction, and surgery in adulthood. Early treatment is an effective preventive measure that lays the foundation for a healthy, stable mouth in adulthood.
