Patients of the best orthodontist in Sacramento have at their disposal early orthodontic treatment in Sacramento, CA. Although there is no age limit to start orthodontic treatment, having access to early dental care is a huge advantage, and we should exploit it.

Not everyone needs braces or orthodontic appliances, but everyone benefits from visiting the doctor from time to time. And in cases where medical intervention is needed (which is half of all times), it’s best to know before the issues get worse.

As patients, we must recognize there are dental health problems we can’t diagnose by ourselves; we need to see a specialist and let them identify the problem and design the possible solutions.

Dr. Markham and the team understand the importance of feeling healthy and confident about your smile. That is why we focus on individual patient care. From the moment you walk through our door, we promise you’ll never be another number on a chart or mouth in a chair.

You are important to us, so we want to make sure we can jump into action and help you as soon as we notice an orthodontic issue. To achieve this, it is crucial you schedule regular examinations with your orthodontist.

As trusted Orthodontists in Sacramento, in our practice, we will focus on you and on identifying and drafting an orthodontic plan with your specific needs in mind.

If you want to save yourself and your family lots of money and time in teeth alignment, early examinations and preventative orthodontics, when needed, are the best course of action. There is no other way to find out if your child needs or will need orthodontic care.

And you can’t avoid this type of treatment when the patient’s well-being demands it.

What Is Early Orthodontic Treatment?

By definition, early orthodontic treatment refers to orthodontic intervention before the eruption of permanent dentition (except third molars) is complete.

You may also see “Early” treatment, referred to as “interceptive” treatment, which means treatment that is done there while there is still the presence of baby teeth. Early treatment may be a lifesaver for some patients; their problems could become more severe if untreated over a long period.

The goal of early treatment is to stop the developing problem, treat the cause, and guide the growth of facial and jawbones to provide proper space for your child’s permanent teeth.

Typically, patients will require a second course of treatment after all permanent teeth have come in to make sure these permanent teeth come in with proper position and alignment. Although, this may not always be necessary. A portion of patients who start early care can avoid second-phase orthodontics later on, saving much time and resources.

To learn more about early orthodontic treatment, continue reading below or click here and learn about our approach to Orthodontic treatment for all ages.

What Issues Can Be Treated With Early Orthodontic Treatment in Sacramento?

While some orthodontic issues result from our genetic makeup, others develop after accidents, dental disease, and other factors that can be determined during a consultation with your orthodontist. Early orthodontics can help treat the most common orthodontic problems, such as:

• Jaw Malocclusions:
  • Underbites. Lower front teeth are ahead of the upper front teeth.
  • Crossbites. This issue arises when the jaw shifts to one side
• Crowded Teeth
• Gaps between your teeth
• Jaw or teeth growth problems

Are Bad Bites Hereditary?

Some patients who used to wear braces or other orthodontic appliances as teenagers worry their kids might have to experience the same dental issues.

If you had a bad bite, or what dental experts call them, malocclusions, your children can inherit it along with your achievements and savings. Cases of deep underbites often appear in more than one member of the family.

Genetics affect teeth in their alignment, growth, size, and shape, but it’s not the only cause of malocclusions or dental misalignment. Oral habits and injuries can cause mild to severe cases of overbites, crossbites, or open bites.

Thumb-sucking, pacifiers, and bottle-feeding are all habits that can bring problems to your kid’s teeth if they continue with them after age three.

However, a pediatric orthodontist in Sacramento can fix complex consequences, whether the cause is hereditary or environmental.

What Are the Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment in Sacramento?

We know this might make parents worry about their children. Some may not want to put their young kids through early orthodontic treatment, and we understand—however, your Sacramento Orthodontist, Drs. David Markham, along with team members at Markham Orthodontics, want to remind you that many benefits come with early orthodontic treatment for your child.

Unlike teenage or adult orthodontic care, early treatment doesn’t rely on the use of highly invasive appliances. You should always consult with a dental health specialist about what is required for your child’s case. Still, as you consider that, please take note of the benefits of early orthodontic care.

Some of those benefits include:

Cleaner and Healthier Teeth

Crooked or rotated teeth can prove difficult to maintain properly clean. As food particles lodge in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, your toothbrush and dental floss will be less efficient at cleaning any remaining food particles. This additional challenge can increase the risk of tooth decay.

Correcting Bite Problems

A bad or malaligned bite can cause headaches, facial and jaw pain, and other forms of discomfort for your child. Furthermore, as your child’s jaws remain misaligned, their teeth could also misalign.

Prevents Dental Trauma

Crooked or extra teeth can also stick out, making them a target for unwanted damage should your kid fall while playing. We would also like to remind parents that if their child plays contact sports and follows orthodontic treatment, they should get mouthguards to prevent additional damage during an incident.

It Saves Time and Money

Time is money, and leaving an orthodontic problem without treatment could only worsen the problem over time, making it more difficult and more expensive to solve with proper treatment.

Help Reduce the Risk of Speech Problems

Children with bad bites or severe dental issues can develop a lisp or other speech impediments. Correction of these issues with early orthodontic treatment can help prevent or alleviate speech problems. Such specialized care can also help with breathing problems.

When Will My Baby Begin Teething?

We all get two different sets of teeth. The first ones to erupt are primary teeth, but we often hear them by the name of baby teeth because we start to lose them around ages 6 and seven.

The second lot is the secondary teeth, but we call them permanent teeth or adult teeth since these are the ones we keep for the rest of our lives.

Because our body is a perfect machine, babies get their first teeth around six months of age, which is also the time when they should start eating foods and not only breast milk. The first to come out are usually the lower front teeth, followed by the upper front teeth.

Each body has its own times, so don’t worry if the teeth of your baby start erupting a few weeks before the six months or a few weeks after. Always take your doubts to a podiatrist to make sure everything is fine.

The process can be painful and even cause fever, so be extra patient with your baby and help them with frozen teething rings and massages with a gauze soaked in cold water.

Is Early Orthodontic Treatment Necessary for All Children?

It’s important to state the difference between orthodontic examinations and orthodontic treatment. Taking your child to the pediatric orthodontist does not mean your child will come out with appliances in their mouth.

The examination is taking care of your child’s dental health before any problems show up. In lots of cases, children just need to grow to solve certain issues with their teeth.

In some other cases, the natural growth will only worsen the problems, and it’s in these circumstances that pediatric orthodontists suggest interceptive treatment.

And in most cases, some mild alignment issues can wait until the jaws are fully developed, and the permanent teeth have erupted.

What if the doctor says my child does not need early orthodontics? Great news! Just remember baby teeth play an essential role in the eruption and alignment of permanent teeth, so should take care of them for your kid.

At What Age Should I Bring My Child to a Consultation With the Orthodontist?

If you are a worried parent, we assure you there is no need to rush. You can take your child for a quick checkup with the orthodontist when they still have their baby teeth, but you can wait until they are seven years old.

Nevertheless, you should not let much time go by after they are seven. Why seven? It is the perfect age to see how are the new secondary teeth coming out and the space and size of your kid’s jaws and palate.

If you notice malocclusion issues such as open bites, underbites, or overbites, take action since these problems do not solve naturally. And if you notice your child’s teeth align perfectly, it’s good you take them to the dental office anyways.

A pediatric orthodontist has an expert eye and can practice X-Rays to see what is going on with your child’s teeth under the surface. If Dr. Markham diagnoses a problem, they might recommend using functional orthodontic appliances or waiting.

If you are wondering, “Should I find an orthodontist near me?” the answer will always be yes. If you live in Sacramento, make sure your orthodontist is in your area.

Contact Our Sacramento OfficeAnd Get the Professionals to Help You

Remember that no matter when you start, orthodontic treatment is a journey. We’ll be here for you along every step of your treatment path.

Markham Orthodontics will support, educate, encourage, and celebrate with you. If you plan to start visiting the orthodontist with your child, click here to learn more about your first office visit with us!

Children require special treatment, and when they come to our dental home, we give our best to make them feel comfortable and confident. We strive to erase fear or pain from our treatments.

Building a safe relationship with our patients is important, and we need your support as a parent to make it possible.

We look forward to giving you the smile of your dreams. Schedule an appointment today.