Getting braces early in life has other awesome advantages besides a straighter smile.

As we all know, braces can fix misalignments in your smile and enhance your appearance, which is why so many parents turn to our Amherst, NH, pediatric dentists Dr. James McAveeney, Dr. Andrew Cheifetz, and Dr. Agata Bartels when their child’s permanent teeth start to come in.

Scheduling an orthodontic consultation around the age of 7 is the perfect time for us to determine if braces is right for your child. Here are some benefits of orthodontics that perhaps you didn’t even know about,
 

Reduce Your Child’s Risk for Cavities

When teeth are overlapping or crooked it makes it more challenging to keep teeth clean. As a result, those with crooked smiles are more likely to deal with cavities and gum disease, since plaque has more areas in which to hide. A straighter smile makes it easier for kids to keep their teeth clean through routine brushing and flossing. Just don’t forget to visit your Amherst, NH, children’s dentist every six months for checkups.
 

Prevent Wear and Damage

Malocclusions (“bad bites”) such as underbites, overbites, and crossbites can place excessive and uneven pressure on certain teeth. As a result, the teeth that are taking on more pressure will also wear down quickly. Over time, this results in weaker teeth that are prone to chipping or cracking. Orthodontic treatment can help redistribute the bite forces evenly throughout your child’s smile.
 

Aids in Better Digestion

This is something that most people don’t realize but a straighter smile also makes it easier to chew food properly. If you can’t chew food into smaller pieces then it will take the stomach longer to properly digest larger amount of food. By getting the perfect alignment through braces children may find that they have fewer digestive issues.
 

Prevent Speech Problems

If your child’s teeth are misaligned this could also impact their speech. Overbites, underbites, and gaps between teeth can sometimes lead to speech problems such as lisps. Braces can correct these common misalignments and often improve speech.

If you are wondering whether your child could benefit from getting orthodontics, then turn to our Amherst, NH, dental team to find out. Call Children's Dental Center of New Hampshire today at (603) 673-1000 to schedule a consultation for your little one.