Orthodontics for children
Get a head start on a beautiful smile
As a parent in New Albany, Corydon, or Floyds Knobs, we know you want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a pleasing smile.
As a mom herself, Dr. Periago will treat your children like her own by giving them the best possible orthodontic care.
What is early treatment?
Kids should get an orthodontic check-up by 7
There are some orthodontic problems that should be addressed between the ages of 7 and 10 before your child has all of their permanent teeth. Most of the time, Dr. Periago will take a “wait-and-see” approach and will re-evaluate the growth and development of your child periodically.
Dr. Periago will monitor your child as they grow and will recommend the ideal time for your child to start treatment when needed. Early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. In some cases, Dr. Periago will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
Choosing the best time for treatment
While the age at which kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they’re treated early.
If Dr. Periago thinks your child will need treatment, she’ll let you know when it will be best to begin treatment. This gives our team the best chance to:
Guide jaw growth
Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
Correct harmful oral habits
Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child
Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips, and face
Signs the bite isn't right
It’s not always easy to tell when your child may need braces or has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem bite.
Here are some clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Breathing through the mouth
- Thumb-sucking
- Crowded, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
- Jaws that are too far forward or back
- Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
- Protruding teeth
- Upper and lower teeth that don’t meet, or meet in an abnormal way
- An unbalanced facial appearance
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth
Here are a few things to look for that may mean your child needs to see an orthodontist:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- A hard time chewing or biting food
- Mouth breathing
- Finger or thumb sucking
- Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
- Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
- Teeth that come together abnormally or do not come together at all
- Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
- Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
Learn more at your free consultation
Phase 1 treatment, or early treatment, is designed to help set your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles. By getting a head start on orthodontic treatment, Periago Orthodontics can help your child can avoid potential orthodontic problems later in life. Dr. Periago uses helpful orthodontic appliances like lower lingual holding arches to ensure that your child’s teeth have the appropriate space to grow. Periago Orthodontics is here for your child’s smile from day one!
If your child has a dental issue, please contact us by setting up a free consultation at our New Albany, Corydon, or Floyds Knobs office. We can talk about your child’s orthodontic options and develop a treatment plan customized to your child’s needs.
