Most parents understand that problems such as an under-bite, over-bite, crooked or crowded teeth may need to be treated but often adopt a "wait to see" attitude in the belief their child can't be treated until they are in their teens.
But Dr Simon Leith and Dr Andrew McNaughton from the Kerikeri Dental Centre strongly recommend early assessment. They say that nowadays, depending on the problem, treatment can start from as early as age seven and add that early treatment may prevent more serious problems developing.
Dr Leith says there is a common misconception that crowded, crooked teeth and narrow jaws are caused by genetics - an inheritance passed down through the parents - and is something that can't be changed.
"Sometimes that's true," he says "but more often it's behavioural and environmental factors that affect how our adult teeth end up looking."
Factors that can contribute to orthodontic problems include thumb and finger sucking, mouth breathing, sleeping with the mouth open and incorrect swallowing. Other associated health problems can include persistent ear infections, continual bed wetting, poor quality sleep, snoring and enlarged tonsils or adenoids - hence the recommendation to assess the situation early.
