Early Treatment & Airway Orthodontics
Questions about Orthodontics for Children
When should I take my child to the orthodontist for the first time?
Age seven is the ideal time, as permanent teeth erupt and significant jaw growth occurs, allowing for early detection of issues and the best window for airway orthodontics. Because the upper jaw hasn't fused, we can easily guide development for better breathing.
What should parents expect during the initial age-7 consultation?
Dr. Eves will perform a visual exam of your child’s teeth, jaws, and facial profile, often paired with low-radiation digital imaging. Our team checks for proper adult tooth eruption, jaw alignment, and any red flags for sleep-disordered breathing. If no immediate action is required, we will simply place your child in our observation program to monitor their growth free of charge.
Why is the first visit to the orthodontist recommended for age 7?
By age seven, your child's first adult molars have erupted, establishing the back bite and allowing an orthodontist to evaluate critical tooth and jaw relationships. This window captures the jaw during a highly active growth phase, making it the ideal time to intercept structural problems—like severe crowding, crossbites, or narrow airways—before they complicate adult tooth eruption. Early screening acts as a preventive checkup; most children will not need immediate treatment, but it gives parents a roadmap for optimal long-term oral and airway development.
What are the advantages of early treatment?
Early treatment can reduce the severity of later issues, resulting in shorter, more effective treatment with braces or Invisalign. Benefits include:
- Improved Airway & Breathing: Expands narrow jaws, boosts nasal airflow, and promotes better tongue posture.
- Enhanced Sleep: Corrects structural issues to reduce snoring and improve sleep quality.
- Habit Correction: Corrects thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting.
- Better Function & Confidence: Improves chewing, speech, facial appearance, and self-esteem.
- Injury Prevention: Protects protruding teeth.
What is airway orthodontics, and why is it part of early treatment?
Airway orthodontics addresses the link between jaw structure and breathing. By using appliances like palate expanders to widen the jaw, we increase the space for the airway and tongue, ensuring better oxygen intake and structural health.
How can I tell if my child has an airway or breathing issue?
- Chronic mouth breathing.
- Loud snoring or pauses in breathing at night.
- Restless sleep or excessive sweat.
- Daytime fatigue, hyperactivity, or inattention (ADHD-like symptoms).
- Dark circles ("allergic shiners") and grinding teeth.
Are tooth extractions necessary before orthodontic treatment?
Tooth extractions are not always necessary! Please get a second opinion from Tollgate Orthodontics on this before removing any adult teeth. Extractions are only needed in certain cases of severe tooth crowding. The most common instance where a tooth will need to be removed is when baby teeth are causing the permanent teeth to become crowded and those baby teeth seem to be taking too much time to come out on their own. By extracting the specific baby teeth, the adult teeth will then have the room that it needs, preventing the development of a severely crowded smile. If you have received a recommendation for adult tooth extraction, please come see us. While there are a few cases where this might be necessary, we, as orthodontic specialists, can treat the vast majority of cases without adult tooth extraction.
Can my child play sports while wearing braces?
Yes. However, we recommend that your child wears a special orthodontic mouth guard that will protect their braces, teeth, and soft tissue from damage.
Can my child continue playing their musical instrument while in braces?
Yes. Although a period of adjustment is necessary, braces do not interfere with the playing of musical instruments.
Will my child's tooth alignment fix itself as they get older?
Unfortunately, no. If your child has a crooked or misaligned smile, their smile will stay that way as they get older unless they get it corrected with orthodontic treatment. In fact, misaligned that is not treated can actually get worse over time.