As any millennial parent, we try to impart what is best to our children in our maximum personal capacity. Right from the birth, we take care of their vaccines, their education starting from pre-school, extra-curricular activities and many other things. It is very important to take action at the correct time.

Similarly, it is very crucial to take care of their Dental Health from the very young age. Orthodontic (braces) treatment given at the right age not only improves oral function but also boosts their self-confidence.

Many researches have proven that improving facial aesthetics of young adults by giving Braces treatment significantly improved their self-image and thereby increased self- confidence. A pleasant smile and facial appearance gives an edge and adds to the personality of a person.

According to research on psycho- sociology, an unattractive smile during adolescence can create a social handicap, where a teenager can suffer from social anxiety, find it difficult to smile and talk confidently in public or make social connections easily. In later years, low self- esteem can impact chances of getting better job placements and even prospects of a life partner.

According to World Health Organization, Mental Health is one of the most important health issues of the world today. A negative self-image can play a significant role in developing social and psychological issues in a young individual. Appearance of face, shape and position of teeth and how we smile play an important role in creating a positive or negative self-image of a person.

Today, Orthodontic intervention at correct age is considered a successful and appropriate treatment to improve the position of the teeth and to increase physical attractiveness. It improves overall quality of life by improving oral health, function and social well being.

It is a very common misbelief among parents that Braces treatment should start after 15 to 16 years of age. It is very untrue! Such late treatment does not give best results in many cases because their skeletal growth is already complete. So the correct age for Orthodontic treatment should be decided only by the Orthodontist. It varies from patient to patient. In some cases it could be as early as 10 years while in some cases it is delayed by few years.

Ideally, your first Orthodontic dental check-up or need for braces check-up should happen when child's first permanent tooth has erupted i.e. at 7 years of age. Then yearly monitoring of new tooth erupting should be done. So that if any problem is developing then it can be corrected at very early stage. Lot of time and pain can be prevented if we follow up with early Orthodontic check-ups regularly.

Hence, it is right to say that, a proper dental care given to your child at a correct time is the best gift you can give to them!