Did you know that if you get an early start on your child’s orthodontic care, you may be able to help make sure that their teeth grow in straight and aligned so they can avoid wearing braces at all? This kind of care is called pre-orthodontic treatment and addresses the root causes of crooked teeth before or during the period of time when your child’s teeth are growing in, rather than correcting them later.
At Smile Shoppe Pediatric Dentistry in Rogers, AR, we use the Myobrace pre-orthodontic treatment system to give your child a great beginning on a healthy, natural smile. Our team of board-certified pediatric dentists offers the highest level of training and expertise and takes pride in helping our patients achieve great results. Plus, your child will love our friendly, compassionate attitude!
To learn more about Myobrace, contact us to schedule an orthodontic exam for your child today!
What Is Myobrace®?
You’re probably familiar with the fact that many children end up needing to wear braces as teenagers. But have you ever wondered why? In many cases, this is because a child’s jaw develops the wrong way, leading to crowded, crooked teeth.
Myobrace is an approach to pre-orthodontic treatment that helps make sure that your child’s jaw and teeth grow straight, aligned, and healthy. The goal of Myobrace treatment, especially when begun early, is less about correcting crooked teeth and more about preventing them from becoming misaligned in the first place.
When Should My Child Start Myobrace®?
We recommend bringing your child in for their first dental check-up by around the time of their first birthday. This will allow us to evaluate their dental health and monitor their progress over time. If we see that your child may benefit from Myobrace treatment, they can begin at 2 years old. Starting so early offers huge benefits, as intervening within the first few years of life makes it much more likely that your child will not need braces down the road.
However, we use Myobrace to treat children ages 2-15, so if your child is older, that’s okay! They can benefit significantly from Myobrace and experience an improved quality of life. While they may still need further orthodontic treatment later on, Myobrace can help limit the extent.
What Are the Signs that My Child May Need Myobrace®?
While symptoms may depend on your child’s age, you should keep an eye out for signs that your child may be at risk of improper jaw development. This include:
- Ongoing thumb sucking
- Crowded, crooked teeth
- Open mouth posture
- Frequent stuffy noses
- Teeth that don’t touch the opposing teeth when biting
- Mouth breathing
- Nail biting
- Visible gums above the upper front teeth
- Behavioral challenges or trouble in school
- Tongue tie
- Tongue thrusting
- Restless, poor sleep
If you notice any of these signs, bring your child in for an orthodontic exam so we can help make sure that they don’t lead to bigger problems down the road.
Can Myobrace® Help My Child Avoid Braces?
Yes! Pre-orthodontic treatments like Myobrace help address the underlying causes of crooked teeth and can prevent them from ever becoming a problem. While we can’t make any guarantees, we do find that children who undergo Myobrace treatment, especially if they begin in the first few years of life, are noticeably less likely to need braces as adolescents.
What Are the Other Health Benefits of Myobrace®?
In addition to a healthy, aligned smile, Myobrace will help your child learn how to breathe through their nose, which offers significant health benefits. These include better sleep, improved tongue posture, and a clearer airway. Plus, Myobrace treatment also emphasizes the critical importance of healthy eating habits to your child’s dental health and development and educates them on how to choose the right foods to eat.
Help Your Child Grow up Right!
Start your child’s pre-orthodontic treatment by booking an appointment today!
