Finding the Right
Time to Start
As a parent in Glen Mills, Chester Springs, and the greater Philadelphia area, you want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a comfortable, well-aligned smile for years to come.
At Swiatek Orthodontics, our goal is to treat your children as if they were our own, by providing them with the best possible orthodontic care and a friendly, fun atmosphere.
Braces for Kids Around Glen Mills & Chester Springs
There’s no minimum age for your child to begin orthodontic treatment, but Dr. Swiatek and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that every child near Philadelphia should receive their first orthodonticevaluation by around the age of seven.
About 20% of kids ages 7-10 that we see at Swiatek Orthodontics need early treatment for major issues involving bite alignment, adult teeth that are not erupting correctly, or overcrowding.
Don’t fret if your little one needs early treatment though: early treatment can resolve problems before they cause major issues, and generally shortens the second phase of treatment necessary once all their adult teeth are in.
Get a Head Start on Oral Health with Early Evaluations for Your Child
Close to 20% of kids between the ages of 7 and 10 need early treatment for major issues involving their bite, adult teeth that are not erupting correctly, or overcrowding.
Don’t fret if your little one needs early treatment though: early treatment at Swiatek Orthodontics can resolve problems before they cause major issues, and it usually shortens the second phase of treatment necessary once all adult teeth are in.
To have a smile that's long-lasting and healthy, your child needs teeth and jaws that are properly aligned - in other words, a healthy bite.
Dr. Swiatek and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that your child get an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven. By then, your child's teeth have developed enough for subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth to still be spotted while some baby teeth are still present.
Your first check-up at Swiatek Orthodontics may reveal that your child's bite is fine and braces for kids aren't necessary. We’ll never start treatment before it’s necessary.
Or, Dr. Swiatek may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring your child's growth and development.
They will then begin treatment when orthodontic and developmental cues indicate that it’s an appropriate time for your child. In other cases, Dr. Swiatek might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.
What Is Early Treatment?
Also known as Phase 1 treatment, early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.
In some cases, Dr. Swiatek will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
How to Choose the Perfect Time for Treatment
While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they are treated early.
If Dr. Swiatek thinks your child will need treatment, they will let you know when it would be best to begin treatment. This gives your orthodontist the best chance to:
- Guide jaw growth
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child
- Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips, and face
Signs the Bite's Not Right
It's not always easy to tell when your child may need braces or has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem bite. Here are some clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Breathing through the mouth
- Thumb-sucking
- Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
- Jaws that are too far forward or back
- Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
- Protruding teeth
- Upper and lower teeth that don't meet, or meet in an abnormal way
- An unbalanced facial appearance
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth
Learn More at Your Free Consultation
If you would like to bring your child in to Swiatek Orthodontics for an evaluation, please contact our offices in Glen Mills or Chester Springs to set up a free consultation.
Dr. Swiatek would love to discuss your child's orthodontic options with you to develop a treatment plan that is customized to your child's specific needs and wants.