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About Orthodontics

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Building Healthy Smiles from the Start

Children Orthodontics

Top-rated children’s orthodontic care for a lifelong confident smile.

When Should Kids See an Orthodontist?

There is no exact age when orthodontic treatment should begin because each patient has a unique smile and therefore unique needs. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends having the first consultation around the age of seven. This allows the orthodontist to begin monitoring your child’s smile so treatment can begin at the right time to have the most impact on the smile.

Early treatment allows your orthodontist to:

  • Guide the growth of the jaw to ensure proper eruption of permanent teeth
  • Correct the width of the upper and lower arches
  • Create adequate space for teeth
  • Lessen the need for extractions
  • Correct bad habits
  • Improve minor speech impediments

Signs your child may need orthodontic treatment:

  • Early or late loss of teeth
  • Difficulty chewing or biting
  • Mouth breathing
  • Thumb or finger sucking
  • Crowded or otherwise misplaced teeth
  • Jaw that pops or clicks
  • Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
  • Jaw that isn’t proportionate to the face
— Dr. Robert Gire

The Purpose of Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment creates a healthy, properly functioning bite. It includes not just straightening the teeth, but also positioning the jaw properly to ensure the bite works as it should. When the teeth and jaws are properly aligned, our bite can work as it is intended without worrying about placing an abnormal amount of pressure on the teeth.
An abnormal bite or teeth that are contacting incorrectly or prematurely can cause excessive wear, damage, or even tooth loss. Orthodontic treatment can create a healthier smile by ensuring proper alignment – this can help patients keep their smiles cleaner, helping to stave off decay, gum disease, and other issues.
Orthodontic For Kids
Gire Orthodontics
Orthodontic Treatments

Treatment Options for Children

At Gire Orthodontics, we always treat each patient as an individual and create fully customized treatment plans for every patient. Dr. Gire will work with parents and patients to create a treatment plan that addresses that patient’s needs and also takes into account things such as the patient’s age. Some treatment options, such as clear aligners, may not be the most ideal treatments for younger patients.

Orthodontic Appliances
Orthodontic Appliances
Orthodontic appliances for children: expanders, retainers, space maintainers, headgear
Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces
Clear ceramic braces that blend naturally with your teeth
Metal Braces
Metal Braces
Traditional and highly effective orthodontic treatment for all ages
Self-Ligating Braces
Self-Ligating Braces
Modern braces with advanced self-ligating technology
Clear Aligners
Clear Aligners
Nearly invisible aligners for comfortable treatment

Braces and Your Child

1
Pain Management
While braces should never be painful, your child may experience some discomfort while in braces. This is completely normal – as your children’s braces get tightened or as the teeth move through the bone to their new locations, there can be a bit of soreness or discomfort. You can give your child an over-the-counter pain medication to assist with any discomfort. Rinsing with warm salt-water can also help lessen any soreness. Be sure your child has a good supply of orthodontic wax and knows how to use it to alleviate any discomfort in areas of their mouth.
2
Oral Hygiene
Your child will need to work extra hard to keep their smile clean during treatment. This means brushing frequently and flossing at least once a day. This prevents decay from setting in. Don’t forget to maintain regular visits with your dentist to ensure your child’s smile is healthy.
3
Diet Adjustments
Your child will probably also need to make a few adjustments to his or her diet. Most of our younger patients use more traditional treatment options so the brackets are bonded directly to the teeth. Eating foods that are too hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky can pull the brackets off, so be sure your child avoids any foods like these.
3
Activities & Sports
Your child can still participate in all of the extracurricular activities he or she has always enjoyed. If your child plays a sport where a blow to the mouth could occur, be sure he or she always wears a properly fitting mouthguard.
FAQ

Children’s Orthodontics FAQ

What is the right age to see an orthodontist? +

While orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, the recommended age to visit an orthodontist is seven. This is because your child will have a mix of baby and permanent teeth and the jaw will still be growing. This allows the orthodontist to be able to guide the growth of the jaw to adequately accommodate all of the permanent teeth.

Why should my child have orthodontic treatment? +
Will my child need braces? +
Can my child use clear aligners like Spark or Invisalign as the treatment? +
Can habits, such as thumb sucking or pacifier use, really damage my child’s bite and smile? +
If one child needs braces, does that mean my other children will, as well? +
Shouldn’t we wait until all the permanent teeth are in to visit an orthodontist? +

Visit Us

We proudly serve patients at two convenient locations, making it easy for you to access expert orthodontic care close to home.

La Habra Office
2250 W. Whittier Blvd., Suite 200
La Habra, CA 90631
562-690-1199
Mon - Fri: 9 a.m - 6 p.m
Sat: 8 a.m - 1 p.m
Chino Hills Office
15944 Los Serranos Country Club Dr
#100, Chino Hills, CA 91709
909-393-9911
Mon - Fri: 9 a.m - 6 p.m
Sat: 8 a.m - 1 p.m
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The first step toward achieving a beautiful, healthy smile is to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist.

Take control of your smile journey today with our expert orthodontic care.

Complimentary Consultation →

Gire Orthodontics, a top-rated orthodontic practice in La Habra and Chino Hills, also serving nearby communities including Fullerton, Brea, Whittier, Yorba Linda, Pomona, and Corona.

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Contact Us

La Habra Office

2250 W Whittier Blvd # 200, La Habra, CA 90631, United States
562-690-1199
Mon - Fri: 9 a.m - 6 p.m
Sat: 8 a.m - 1 p.m

Chino Hills Office

15944 Los Serranos Country Club Dr STE 100, Chino Hills, CA 91709, United States
909-393-9911
Mon - Fri: 9 a.m - 6 p.m
Sat: 8 a.m - 1 p.m

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