In the good ol’ days, children with misaligned teeth had to wait years for a teenage metal brace that was uncomfortable and far from discreet. Any root causes of poor alignment or under-developed jaws went untreated at the crucial early stage, and a child’s confidence could be badly affected. Not anymore!

How do I know if my child requires early orthodontic treatment?

Children aged four and up can now benefit enormously from early intervention if they are developing crooked teeth, bite problems or poor oral habits. Signs may include:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth (your child should typically start losing teeth around the age of five, and will usually have all his / her permanent teeth by the age of thirteen)
• Difficulty chewing and/or biting
• Mouth breathing
• Your child continues sucking his or her thumb after age five
• Speech impediments
• Protruding teeth (the top teeth and the bottom teeth extend away from each other)
• Teeth that don’t come together in a normal manner, or at all
• Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes his or her mouth (crossbites)
• Crowded front teeth around the age of seven or eight
• Jaw clenching
• Teeth grinding

Prevention is better than cure

In the past dentists would not recommend any orthodontic treatment before the age of thirteen, advising patients and parents to wait until all the child’s permanent teeth were present, and to then treat with braces and extractions. Of course, this was something of a cosmetic solution and often once the braces were removed the teeth would return to their crooked positions. Now, with the Myobrace system, these underlying problems can be addressed while the child is still young and teeth development can still be influenced.

The key underlying cause of crooked teeth is poor muscle function, which is often created by bad childhood habits such as mouth breathing, swallowing incorrectly, and overactive facial muscles. Correcting these from an early age before the jawbone has fully hardened thus minimises the likelihood of your child having to wear aligners as a teenager.

What are the treatment options for early orthodontic intervention?

Myobrace is a simple and effective pre-orthodontic treatment that is used for just 1-2 hours each day and while sleeping. Three in four children have crowded teeth or poorly developing jaws, and with the Myobrace removable appliance, treatment can begin when there is still the opportunity to influence growing teeth. The optimal age for successful treatment is between six and ten years old.

The custom-fitted Myobrace device works by providing light pressure on your child’s hard palate, which over time will allow it to reshape. Coupled with the Myobrace activities your child will follow via an app to encourage correct tongue placement, your child’s teeth will realign to their natural position. Regular appointments help us to monitor progress and make any adjustments that may be required for your child’s personalised exercise programme.

For more information on Myobrace Childen Dentist, please do not hesitate to contact KIDS. Alternatively, complete the form below, and one of our friendly team members will contact you.