What a Specialist Orthodontist wants you to know about your kids’ teeth

Posted on 18 January, 2024

For many parents, braces and other orthodontic treatments are one of the biggest investments they make in their children’s health.

But when should you start paying close attention to your kids’ teeth and at what age should you consult an orthodontist?

According to Dr Robert Wei of Wei Orthodontics, scheduling an initial orthodontic screening between the ages of seven and ten will allow time for early intervention, if needed, and simplify the complexity of any future orthodontic needs.

“An initial orthodontic screening when some adult teeth are starting to erupt but the baby teeth are still present allows us to assess whether there are any issues that are better managed early. It can also give you a rough idea if your child will benefit from orthodontics in the future,” explains Dr Wei.

“This typically involves looking at a couple of x-rays to check If your child has the right number of adult teeth developing, as well as getting an idea of the positions of their upper and lower jaws.”

He explains that there are a number of things which you can look out for in your child’s dental development which can indicate that they would benefit from early treatment. These include the early or late loss of baby teeth, teeth that don’t meet properly and biting of their cheeks or the roof of their mouth. Kids with protruding teeth or overcrowded teeth, thumb sucking or a family history of missing and/or impacted teeth can also benefit from an early discussion about options moving forwards.

Dr Robert Wei.

As for how much your family dental history can predict how your child’s teeth will develop, Dr Wei says the answer is: it can predict quite a bit.

“Genetics plays a major role in the development of bad bites because the size and shape of your child’s jaws are genetically determined. We find that most orthodontic issues are related to imbalances in the size and shape of the jaw, that said, habits like thumb sucking can still  impact the growth and development of the upper jaw” explains Dr Wei.

Mihret, Naomi, Esme, Dr Wei and Josh.

A Specialist Orthodontist who cut his teeth (sorry) at the University of Melbourne, Dr Wei completed his dental and specialist training at the Melbourne Dental School. It was here that he was awarded the 2020 Milton R Sims award by the Australian Society of Orthodontists and Foundation for Research and Education for the most meritorious orthodontic trainee across Australia and New Zealand.

Dr Wei has recently taken over from Dr Tran Lam and is located at 1 Hobart Place, City West where he now operates Wei Orthodontics. Early orthodontic intervention is one of the services he offers as he believes that the sooner certain issues are remedied, the sooner the patient can leave orthodontics behind.

“The goal of all early orthodontic intervention is to simplify the complexity of any future orthodontic needs, and in some cases, eliminate the need for future treatment,” says Dr Wei.

“Traditionally, most orthodontic treatment was started when the child had all their adult teeth. However, this can mean waiting up to 3-4 years.”

“In cases where a bite is causing trauma to the permanent teeth and gums, this can lead to extensive dental work on their adult teeth which can be prevented with timely, appropriate orthodontic treatment.”

For Dr Wei, fostering an inclusive environment that puts children’s mental and emotional wellbeing first has always been his priority. Wei Orthodontics also offers the option of low-sensory appointments to cater for the needs of all families on select days. While an early orthodontic check is best, it is never too late for you to come in for a chat about concerns you might have about your own teeth.