Our children’s dental health and oral hygiene is as important as ours. It is important to start taking care of your child’s dental health early enough to guarantee healthy growth and development and to avoid any imminent issues in the future. By taking care of your child’s dental health, you also ensure that he or she maintains a happy, healthy, and strong smile throughout their entire lifetime.
Joosse Family Orthodontics shares what Phase 1 orthodontic treatment is, how it helps in solving your child’s orthodontic issues, and why orthodontists recommend it.
What Is Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment?
Stage I, phase I, or interceptive orthodontic treatment takes place when a child is between 6 and 9 years old. This is a mixed dentition stage when the child begins to shed baby teeth and the permanent teeth are developing.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, your child should start seeing an orthodontist when he or she is about 7 years old, since all the baby teeth should have erupted by this time. The orthodontist can see and monitor your child’s overall dental (teeth, face, and jaws) development. It is possible to note any problems early and devise the right treatment plan or procedures to guarantee the child’s health.
How Does It Help With Orthodontic Issues?
Phase I treatment ensures that your child’s teeth and jaws grow and are aligned in the right manner, enhancing his/her comfort when eating, speaking, and breathing. Stage I orthodontics basically lessens the chances of orthodontic issues in the future through the mitigation and correction of current problems.
Taking your child to the orthodontist early is advantageous as it can help address and solve orthodontic issues. For instance, phase 1 braces is a focus-based treatment used to address a major problem in a child’s dentition for a period of 6, 12 or 18 months.
A child’s early dental treatment is key in developing the child’s jaws, allowing permanent teeth to erupt with minimal pain and discomfort. Phase I treatment also enhances the child’s relationship between the lower and upper jaws. An orthodontist can correct your child’s jaws problems such as overgrowth or undergrowth, preventing dental trauma, later removal of permanent teeth or even jaw surgery.
Why Does an Orthodontist Recommend Phase 1 Treatment?
An orthodontist will recommend Phase I treatment to identify any issues with your child, recommend a treatment plan for the problems and prevent severe dental issues in the future. An orthodontist will recommend Phase I orthodontics if your child has:
- Crooked, protruding, misaligned, crowded or gapped teeth
- Habits, such as thumb sucking, that could be detrimental to healthy dental development
- Difficulty speaking
- Baby teeth obstructing incoming permanent teeth
- Jaws that are bigger or smaller compared to the size of the head
- Discomfort when breathing.
Take your child for a Phase I orthodontic consultation to secure his or her dental health. Ensuring your child has a well aligned, healthy bite and jaw are the cornerstone for great dental health in the future.
Joosse Family Orthodontics loves offering Phase 1 treatment to our young patients. If your child is showing any of the above signs of dental issues, contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation today! Our team is so excited to meet you and your child!
