Discover Salem Smiles’ early orthodontic treatment for kids, featuring traditional metal braces and Invisalign First. Our expert orthodontist, Dr. Woods, recommends starting treatment at a young age for several reasons. It allows us to observe the transition from baby teeth to permanent teeth, monitor jaw and facial development, and address any potential issues early on, such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
While treatment may not begin immediately at the age of seven, visiting Salem Smiles at this stage enables us to closely monitor your child’s dental progress. If necessary, treatment can be initiated at the optimal time for maximum impact.
Some children may benefit from early orthodontic intervention. Early treatment offers various advantages, including guiding jaw growth, correcting arch width, creating space for permanent teeth, reducing the likelihood of extractions, addressing bad habits, and improving speech, chewing, and biting issues.
To determine if your child is a candidate for orthodontic treatment, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. Woods. However, as a parent, you can also look for certain signs that may indicate your child’s need for orthodontic care, such as irregular tooth loss, difficulty chewing or biting, exclusive nose breathing, thumb or finger sucking, crowded or misplaced teeth, jaw clicking or popping, teeth misalignment, or disproportional jaw appearance. If any of these apply to your child, they may benefit from orthodontic treatment.
Braces Treatment for Children
Our traditional braces offer efficient and effective orthodontic treatment, making them an excellent option for our youngest patients. Since the brackets remain affixed to the teeth, there’s no need for your child to remember to wear them—they continuously work to shift the teeth to their desired positions.
Braces can have a transformative impact on your child’s life, although they may take some getting used to. Dr. Woods provides the following tips to ease the adjustment process:
- Over-the-counter pain medication can alleviate initial discomfort.
- Orthodontic wax can be applied to soothe any irritation caused by brackets and wires.
- Familiarize yourself with the foods your child should avoid to prevent damage to the braces.
- Develop a braces care plan, including maintaining proper oral hygiene on the go with a travel kit containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and orthodontic wax.
Before you know it, your child will be enjoying their new smile and properly functioning bite.
Invisalign First – Enhancing Growing Smiles
Invisalign First is specifically designed for younger patients between the ages of six and ten. This treatment aims to guide jaw growth, regulate arch width, and create an ideal space for permanent teeth to emerge.
Invisalign First aligners offer a range of benefits, including treating various issues in growing children, ensuring easy oral hygiene, providing comfort, and correcting bad habits like thumbsucking or tongue thrusting. The treatment begins with a complimentary consultation, during which we create a 3D image of your child’s mouth to design a fully customized treatment plan.
These aligners gradually expand the jaws of growing children, correcting existing issues and preventing future complications. The cost of Invisalign First is the same as traditional braces at Salem Smiles, making it an affordable option. Compliance is crucial for successful treatment, as the aligners must be worn for a minimum of 22 hours a day. If you have concerns about your child’s ability to comply, braces may be a more suitable choice, although many young patients surprise us with their commitment to wearing aligners as instructed by Dr. Woods.
