Do you know how you take your children to well-check visits to their pediatrician and regular checkups with their general dentist? It’s just as important to start factoring in orthodontist visits by the time your child is 7-years old.
Why 7-Years Old?
By taking your child to the orthodontist at an early age, you will help to keep your child’s oral health in check. The
American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children see an orthodontist by the time they are 7-years old. At this age, the orthodontist is able to look at the way your child’s mouth is developing, including their jaw growth and the way that their permanent teeth are coming in, amongst other things. By understanding these things at an early age,
your orthodontist will be able to recommend any preventative treatments that can get ahead of future concerns.
Preventative Treatments
Not all kids will need preventative treatments. Some may be able to get by with periodic checkups to monitor growth until they are ready for braces. Other kids may need some help to keep themselves on the right track. Those may include:
· Palatal Expander – this helps the upper jaw widen to reduce crowding and improve the bite.
· 2-Phase Treatment – sometimes before a child’s permanent teeth have all erupted, it might be beneficial for them to wear braces for a short time. Typically the braces will be removed and the patient will undergo a waiting period before they have braces again.
· Tooth Removal – in some cases, patients may need baby teeth or impacted teeth to be removed before they fall out naturally. This can help permanent teeth have the room they need to erupt in a more ideal placement.
How Does Early Treatment Save Money?
It may seem like getting everything out of the way at one time when your child is older is more economical. The problem with that thinking is that you may not be factoring in how early treatment will actually lessen the need for more extensive treatment in the future. With preventative treatment at an early age, we can often easily correct crowding, bite issues, and other concerns before they become a problem. That means less invasive and less expensive treatment in the future.
We’re Ready to Meet You!
Do you have a child nearing their 7th birthday? It’s time to
contact us to make their initial appointment. If your child is past the age of 7 and still hasn’t seen an orthodontist, it’s okay. Go ahead and make an appointment today so that we can get a jump start on their treatment and schedule their
first visit. We can’t wait to meet your family and start your kiddos on an orthodontic journey towards a lifelong, beautiful smile
Posted on 05/16/2022 at 09:21 AM
