Even though most people think of teenagers when they think of orthodontics, there are good reasons for your child to get an orthodontic evaluation much sooner. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends
an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.
Why Get a Check-up?
- By age seven, most children have a mixture of baby (primary) and adult (permanent) teeth.
- Dr. Smith can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.
- While your child’s teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect.
- The check-up may reveal that your child’s bite is fine, and that is comforting news!
- Even if a problem is detected, chances are that Dr. Smith will take a “wait-and-see” approach, checking your child from time-to-time as the permanent teeth come in and the jaws and face continue to grow.
- In some cases, Dr. Smith might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment. Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.
Signs or Habits that may Indicate the need for Early Orthodontic Care:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty in chewing or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Thumb or finger sucking
- Crowded, misplaced or blocked out teeth
- Jaws that shift or make sounds
- Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
- Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
- Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
Early Treatment Gives Dr. Smith the Chance to:
- Guide jaw growth
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
- Correcting harmful oral habits
- Improve appearance
- Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- Improve the way the lips meet