<p><strong>​Did you know that orthodontic treatment not only gives you a beautiful smile but also fixes functional issues?</strong>
</p><p>Misalignment of teeth and incorrect positioning of the jaws can lead to several functional problems, such as jaw pain and clicking, difficulty eating and speaking, and challenges with cleaning teeth, resulting in poor gum health and eventual loss of teeth. Orthodontic treatment in children and adults can not only treat these conditions but may also prevent them from developing.
</p><p>What is the ideal age for orthodontic treatment? Although there is no age limit for orthodontics, which means that treatment can be done at any age, it is recommended that a child&#39;s first visit to an orthodontist should be at age 7. At this age, developing problems with the jaws and teeth can be identified early, allowing for timely and cost-effective preventive and interceptive measures that may prevent future malocclusions. Additionally, since children are actively growing until around 12 to 13 years of age, any necessary jaw growth modifications (to correct protruded or retruded jaws) can easily be done with growth-modifying appliances during this period. If missed, the same issue may later require orthodontic treatment along with jaw surgery. <strong>So don&#39;t let your child miss the boat!</strong> </p><p>That said, there is no age limit for orthodontic treatment, and adults can opt for treatment to correct teeth misalignment and jaw positioning at any age. For aesthetically conscious adults, clear aligners and tooth-coloured braces offer discreet options. Properly aligned teeth, especially in adults, also make cleaning easier, improving gum health and helping to prevent early tooth loss.
</p><p>The causes of misaligned teeth and jaws are usually developmental, genetic, or environmental. Some malocclusions run in families, such as protruded lower jaws or missing teeth. Others are caused by habits like thumb- and finger-sucking, nail- and lip-biting, or breathing through the mouth. If your child has any of these habits, it is advisable to try to stop them with reminders. If the habit persists after age 6, preventive orthodontic intervention for habit-breaking is necessary; otherwise, its effects on jaw and tooth positioning can worsen, leading to more complicated malocclusions. Mouth breathing, for example, may result from enlarged tonsils or adenoids, which can disturb jaw and tooth development. These issues can be addressed with growth-modifying appliances while the child is still growing. Developmental conditions like cleft lip and palate, or missing or extra teeth, may also lead to malocclusions that can be corrected with orthodontic treatment.
</p><p>In conclusion, orthodontic treatment can give you not just a confident smile but also a healthy and functional one. <strong>Get your confident, healthy, and functional smile today!</strong></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Author:</strong> <a href="/pakistan/patientservices/pages/profiles.aspx?ProfileID=80&amp;Name=Rashna%20Hoshang%20Sukhia&amp;page=findadoctor">Dr Rashna Hoshang Sukhia​</a>, Consultant Orthodontist, Program Director Orthodontics Residency Program, Section of Dentistry, Department of Surgery, AKUH.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Note:</strong> This article was originally published in Urdu in <a href="https://taazataren.com/a-world-of-smiles-aesthetic-and-functional-teeth-and-jaws-with-orthodontic-braces-treatment/">Taazataren​</a>.</span></p>