Early Treatment

When is the Best Time for an Orthodontic Evaluation?

While there is no exact age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends visiting the orthodontist around age seven.

By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, making it easier for the orthodontist to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without surgery.

Many parents ask us when to first bring their child in for an orthodontic evaluation – and the answer may be earlier than you expect. In keeping with the American Association of Orthodontists, we ask parents to bring their children in for an initial consultation at age 7. We may or may not recommend starting treatment at this early age, but evaluating early on allows Dr. Rosen to spot any current orthodontic problems or issues that may develop into problems later on. From their, we can recommend either starting early orthodontic treatment right away or monitoring dental development until the right time for treatment.

Early treatment allows your orthodontist to:

• Correct and guide the growth of your child’s jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
• Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
• Create more space for crowded teeth
• Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
• Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems

For parents, it’s not always easy to know if your child may need orthodontic treatment.

Here are a few things to look for that may mean your child needs to see an orthodontist:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• A hard time chewing or biting food
• Mouth breathing
• Finger or thumb sucking
• Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
• Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
• Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
• Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
• Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight

Getting kids excited about braces!

When patients are excited about their treatment, they are more willing to put in the effort braces require, such as brushing, flossing, and avoiding certain foods. That’s why Braces520 offers WildSmiles Designer Braces. With so many fun shapes to mix or match, including Disney and College Collections, WildSmiles gives patients the freedom to find the joy of a beautiful, healthy smile in the making.

Please contact our practice to schedule an appointment for an orthodontic evaluation. Early treatment now will give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for the future.