AI Summary: Phase 1 treatment is a preventative step for children (ages 6–10) with significant bite issues. Key warning signs include mouth breathing, early or late loss of baby teeth, difficulty chewing, and thumb-sucking habits that persist past age five.

What to Watch For at Home:

  • Mouth Breathing: Often a sign of a narrow palate or airway issues that can affect facial development.
  • Early or Late Tooth Loss: Losing baby teeth before age 5 or keeping them past age 13 can signal spacing problems.
  • Protruding Teeth: If the top teeth sit significantly in front of the bottom ones, your child may have an overbite. Top teeth that sit significantly behind the bottom teeth is an underbite.
  • Speech Difficulties: Lisps or difficulty with certain sounds can sometimes be corrected by widening the dental arch.

Shifting Jaw: If your child’s jaw “zig-zags” or shifts to the side when they close their mouth.

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Dr. Neal

Dr. Neal

  • 25+ Years Experience
  • Elite Invisalign Provider

Born and raised near New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. Neal brings Southern warmth and exceptional orthodontic expertise to the Pacific Northwest.

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