As a parent, you want the best for your child’s health and development, and that often includes their smile. While many people think of braces as a rite of passage in the teen years, orthodontic issues often start much earlier. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Why so early? Because this is when potential problems in oral development, jaw growth, and tooth alignment can first be spotted and corrected before they become more complex. Early orthodontic care could save time, money, and unnecessary discomfort.
Crowded or Crooked Teeth
Even before all of your child’s permanent teeth have erupted, crowding or irregular spacing of baby teeth can signal that there may not be enough room for the adult teeth to come in properly. While it might seem early to be concerned about baby teeth, their positioning often indicates whether future orthodontic issues are likely. The HealthyStart™ system works with the natural growth of your child’s jaws to help guide teeth into proper alignment, potentially eliminating the need for braces later on.
Mouth Breathing or Snoring
Breathing through the mouth, especially during sleep, is more than just a bad habit. It can be a sign of underlying issues such as an underdeveloped airway or improper jaw development. Children who snore, grind their teeth at night, or struggle with restless sleep may be suffering from sleep-disordered breathing. HealthyStart™ addresses these concerns by using custom-designed oral appliances that promote nasal breathing and improve airflow, all while supporting the proper development of the dental arches.
Speech Problems and Difficulty Chewing
If your child is having trouble pronouncing certain words or seems to chew on only one side of the mouth, it might be related to jaw alignment or dental development issues. Misaligned bites and improper tongue placement can interfere with normal speech patterns and make eating uncomfortable. HealthyStart™ appliances gently guide the teeth and jaws into better alignment, often improving both speech and chewing function.
Thumb Sucking or Prolonged Pacifier Use
While sucking habits are normal in infancy, continued thumb sucking or pacifier use beyond age 3 can interfere with jaw development and tooth alignment. These habits can create open bites, narrow dental arches, or misaligned teeth. The HealthyStart™ system is specially designed to help children break these habits by replacing the need for sucking with a comfortable oral appliance that encourages proper development while deterring harmful behaviors.
Behavioral Concerns or Difficulty Focusing
This one surprises many parents, but there’s growing evidence that sleep-disordered breathing can affect a child’s behavior, often mimicking symptoms of ADHD. Children who aren’t sleeping well due to airway obstruction may be more prone to irritability, difficulty concentrating, and hyperactivity. The HealthyStart™ system goes beyond straightening teeth. It could address the root cause of many of these symptoms by improving nighttime breathing and sleep quality.
The HealthyStart™ Difference
What sets HealthyStart™ apart from traditional orthodontic treatments is its early, holistic approach. Rather than waiting until all permanent teeth have erupted, when many issues are harder to correct, HealthyStart™ works with your child’s natural growth patterns. The system uses a series of comfortable, removable appliances that are worn mostly at night. These appliances are custom-designed to address specific dental, skeletal, and airway concerns, often correcting them before braces are ever needed.
Dr. Paul Larsen and his team are dedicated to helping your family achieve and maintain healthy bites and smiles. Early orthodontic care could help prevent the need for invasive or costly treatments down the road. If you suspect your child may need a bite adjustment, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact Dr. Larsen to schedule a consultation and see if the HealthyStart™ system is right for them.