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The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by around the age of 7. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your child will need orthodontic treatment at that age. Instead, it allows the orthodontist to assess your child’s dental development and identify any potential issues early on.
Here are some signs that may indicate it’s time for your child to see an orthodontist:
- Early Loss of Baby Teeth — If your child loses baby teeth early or late, it can affect the eruption pattern of permanent teeth.
- Difficulty Chewing or Biting — Problems with chewing or biting can be indicative of misaligned teeth or jaw issues.
- Thumb Sucking or Other Oral Habits — Persistent thumb sucking or other oral habits can affect the alignment of teeth and jaw development.
- Mouth Breathing — Mouth breathing can lead to dental and facial abnormalities if left untreated.
- Crowded or Crooked Teeth — If your child’s teeth are crowded or crooked, it may indicate the need for orthodontic treatment.
- Protruding Teeth: Protruding front teeth, also known as an overbite, can impact your child’s appearance and increase the risk of injury.
- Difficulty Speaking — Speech problems can sometimes be linked to dental or jaw issues.
Even if your child doesn’t exhibit any of these signs, an early orthodontic evaluation can still be beneficial for detecting any potential problems and planning for future treatment if necessary. At Smile Orthodontics we want to encourage parents to come in early in a child’s dental development so all of our consultations with Dr. Sarah are completely free. Keep in mind that not all children will require orthodontic treatment, but early intervention can address issues more effectively if they are identified early on. Your child’s dentist can also help determine when it’s time for an orthodontic evaluation.
Contact Smile Orthodontics for your free consultation by contacting our team today.
