Braces for Kids!

Wu Orthodontics emphasizes nonextraction orthodontic treatment creating a fuller smile and a healthy bite for children! We have provided more information below on the benefits of early orthodontic care and treatment for children. If you would like to know more, schedule a complimentary initial consultation today with Dr. Wu. Our office is located in Palo Alto, next to the Stanford University campus.

Contact our practice at (650) 322-0288 to schedule an appointment for an orthodontic evaluation. Early treatment now will help give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for a lifetime.

While there is no exact age for children and teens to begin orthodontic treatment, the American Association of Orthodontics recommends beginning treatment around age seven. By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, making it easier for the orthodontist to correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without surgery.

Early orthodontic treatment allows your orthodontist to:

• Correct and guide the growth of your child’s jaw
  
  
• Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
  
  
• Create more space for crowded teeth
  
  
• Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
  
  
• Correct thumb-sucking and help improve minor speech problems

You’re a busy mom, and you love your kids - so it makes sense that you want to give your children braces that don’t hurt! Orthodontist Dr. Wu loves working with kids, and understands your expectations as a parent. At Wu Orthodontics we provide orthodontic care using minimal force, light forces, and comfortable Damon braces to reduce the long treatment times frequently associated with traditional braces.

It’s not always easy to tell if your child needs orthodontic treatment. Here are a few signs to watch for that may indicate your child needs orthodontic care:

• Early/late loss of baby teeth
  
• If your child has a hard time chewing or biting food
  
• Mouth breathing
  
• Finger or thumb sucking
  
• Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
  
• Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
  
• Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
  
• Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face