Help Your Child Smile for a Lifetime

As a parent in Lynchburg, you want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a comfortable smile.

Dr. Mason Bates will give your child nothing less than the best possible orthodontic care, all in a welcoming, calm, and child-friendly environment.

When Should Your Child Get Treatment?

There are a number of orthodontic problems that should be addressed between the ages of 7 and 10, before your child has all of their permanent teeth.

Most of the time, our doctors will take a “wait-and-see” approach until your child is ready to begin treatment, and will re-evaluate the growth and development of your child periodically.

Dr. Bates and his team will monitor your child as they grow and will recommend the ideal time for your child to start treatment when needed. He will never recommend that your child begin treatment before they’re ready.

What Is Early 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 many cases, Dr. Bates will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.

Choosing the Best 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’re treated early.

If Dr. Bates thinks your child will need treatment, he’ll let you know when it will be best to begin treatment. This will give him 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
Orthodontics Lynchburg

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 that needs to be addressed.

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 your child has a dental issue, please contact us by setting up a free consultation at our fun and welcoming Lynchburg orthodontics office.

We can talk about your child's orthodontic options and Dr. Bates can develop a treatment plan personalized to your child's needs.