Here Are Some Things to Think About Information and news releases furnished by the members of PR Newswire, who are responsible for their fact and content. While helping their youngsters decide which pretty or snaggle-toothed mask to put on for Halloween, most parents probably aren't thinking about orthodontics. They should, however, because October is National Orthodontic Health Month, a time when the importance of children's orthodontic health is in the spotlight. Unfortunately, many parents assume they must wait until a child has all of his or her permanent teeth, only to find out that treatment would have been much easier if started earlier.
Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct before jaw growth has slowed.
By age 7, enough permanent teeth have arrived for us to evaluate relationships developing between teeth, jaw and bite. We can determine, what, if anything, is awry and discuss whether starting treatment at that point will be helpful. Cases that demonstrate the advantages of early intervention can be found in most orthodontic practices. N.Y. Patricia had a severe overbite and receding chin, which her daughter inherited. As an adult, Patricia required jaw surgery as well as orthodontics to correct her bite, which necessitated more expense and time.