While treatment for the more common orthodontic issues usually starts between the ages of 9 and 14, there are some conditions that can be fixed quicker and easier if detected at an early stage. The use of orthodontic apparatuses and/or behavior modification can stop some issues from worsening or evening beginning in the first place. 

Orthodontic Apparatuses

Advanced cases may benefit from early implantation of orthodontic apparatuses. Issues like protruding teeth, crossbite, or crowding can be remedied quickly when caught at a young age. 

• Protruding Teeth: Severely protruding teeth are more susceptible to fractures and chipping. To reduce the need for surgery later, braces and headgear can guide protruding teeth and correct an underbite at a young age. 

• Crossbite: A palatal expander can be installed in the mouth to gently widen the upper jaw. This gradually provides more space for the upper teeth so when the mouth is closed they are not residing behind the lower teeth. When applied at a young age, the jaw is still growing quickly, so the guided expansion can be rather painless. If not treated early, more invasive and complicated actions might be necessary. Oral surgery sometimes is the only way to treat a crossbite if it was not addressed for some time. 

• Crowding: Tooth extraction or a palatal expander can generate more space in a mouth for permanent teeth to emerge. While tooth extraction may seem extreme, when done at an early age, it is much less invasive than when done on older patients as less of the tooth is exposed and therefore the smaller gum line can heal faster. 

Behavior Modification

Certain habits at a young age can lead to orthodontic issues later in life. The mouth, teeth, and jaws are more susceptible when a child is young and may develop in an undesirable manner due to certain behaviors. Among these behaviours are mouth breathing, thumb sucking, and tongue thrusting. By encouraging children who may engage in these activities frequently to practice certain exercises and modify their behavior, they could avoid complicated, painful, and expensive procedures later down the road. 

Of course we are not suggesting that if your child exhibits any of these behaviors that they should be forced to stop immediately. Children develop at different rates and hit certain stages of life at different times. Yet, some behaviors – especially if done in excess outside the norm – should be given some attention. 

• Mouth Breathing: This is a pattern of breathing in which the mouth remains open at all times and passes air straight to the lungs. The tongue and muscles in the face tend to not function and develop properly if this type of breathing persists potentially resulting in the jaws growing and developing in an unusual way. Orthodontic issues may follow. If the orthodontist notices the child is a mouth breather, certain exercises might be suggested to build up muscles and remind the child to breathe through the nose and not only the mouth. 
• Thumb Sucking: While thumb sucking might not be a big concern at first and seems natural in younger children, if the behavior persists it can drastically move the teeth and influence the growth and development of the jaw. The orthodontist can suggest different methods, techniques, and exercises to encourage a child who is sucking their thumb later in life.
• Tongue Thrusting: When the tongue pushes too hard against the teeth, or even past them, it can gradually move the teeth resulting in misplaced teeth that can cause a speech impediment. By exercising and training the tongue as a young child, it is possible to stop the tongue thrusting behavior and therefore reduce unnecessary pressure on the teeth that can push them out.