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Prevention, education and support from childhood to avoid orthodontic treatment
However, many parents are unaware that certain functional disorders such as mouth breathing, improper chewing, or using a pacifier longer than recommended can directly influence the need for future orthodontics. Acting early, with regular checkups and specialized care from an early age, not only improves the child's development, but in many cases also avoids long or complex treatments in adolescence.
"Most of the malocclusions and misalignments we treat with invisible orthodontics in adolescence or adults could have been prevented with proper care during childhood," explains Dr. Almudena Herraiz, a specialist in invisible orthodontics and co-founder of Janer & Herraiz Orthodontics.
Currently, in Spain, 74% of children under 3 years old have never been to the dentist, according to the latest report on Oral Health in Children, prepared by the General Council of Dentists and the Spanish Dental Foundation.
The power of prevention: What is interceptive orthodontics?
The most common preventive treatment is called interceptive orthodontics. It is performed on children between the ages of 6 and 10, and allows for the correction of dysfunctional oral habits, guiding bone growth in the jaws, and allowing enough space for permanent teeth to erupt properly.
"Parents often take their children to the dentist when there is already a visible problem, such as crooked teeth. But the key is to detect the factors that cause them before they occur," says Herraiz.
This type of early intervention makes it possible to avoid or at least significantly reduce the time and complexity of subsequent treatments. "It's like aligning the train tracks before the cars pass. If you do it right in time, you'll avoid derailments later," he adds.
Habits that make a difference
One of the most important aspects of this prevention is correcting harmful oral habits. Mouth breathing, atypical swallowing, prolonged pacifier use, or childhood bruxism can alter the development of facial bones and cause bite problems.
"Many parents think their child breathes through their mouth out of habit, but there may be problems with tonsils, a deviated septum, or allergies. Identifying this early and working as a team with ear, nose, and throat specialists and speech therapists can be key to avoiding future orthodontic treatment," the expert points out.
Recommendations for parents, according to experts.
- PFirst check-up before age 6: This is the ideal time for an orthodontist to assess jaw growth.
- Observe breathing: If the child sleeps with their mouth open, snores, or has persistent dark circles under their eyes, there may be a functional cause that needs to be addressed.
- Avoid prolonged habits: such as using a pacifier beyond the age of 2 or sucking on your fingers.
- Promote a balanced diet and active chewing with foods that stimulate jaw development.
"A healthy smile isn't built with visible treatments. It's built with prevention, education, and support from childhood," Herraiz concludes.
It is becoming increasingly clear how early intervention can positively influence aspects such as breathing, posture, and jaw function. Paying attention from the earliest years of life not only improves oral health but can also reduce the need for more complex treatments in the future, promoting more harmonious and healthy development.