It is never too early to start seeing an Orthodontist. The earlier a child goes to see a specialist the better. Going for a consultation at a young age is a good idea for the early diagnosis of oral issues. It may also be helpful in intercepting any developing problems. Therefore, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a consultation at the age of 7.
Take your child to an Orthodontic Specialist before the age of 10 so that any oral issues can be treated early and prevent further damage as they grow up. The practitioner can ease your worries by taking you through an appropriate treatment plan. It is a good idea to know what orthodontic care needs to be done ahead of time so that you can be prepared for future costs. It’s always better to catch problems early so that they can be fixed before the problem gets too complex and expensive to treat.
What is the right age for my child to see an Orthodontist?
We recommend taking your child on a trip to the Orthodontist between the ages of 7 and 10. In this age range, your child will have a mixture of baby and adult teeth. This mixture helps the specialist examine if there are any problems that will develop in time. By taking your child earlier rather than later, the Orthodontist will be able to advise potential orthodontic treatment plans and when the right time will be to start treatment.
Don’t let your child’s straight teeth mislead you. Children’s teeth may move as they get older so visiting an Orthodontist is beneficial because they will be able to diagnose and intercept any problems like overcrowding, jaw misalignment, and bite irregularities that may arise at a later stage. Treating them at a young age may also mean the treatment time will be shorter and more effective.
The top 5 benefits of early assessment
Getting early treatment can help the Orthodontist to achieve results that may have been difficult to treat when the child’s face and jaws have stopped developing. The top 5 benefits include:
- Guide adult teeth
- Fix bite irregularities
- Easier or simpler treatment
- Identify problems
- Prevent potential surgery
There are different phases of Orthodontic Treatment:
1. Early Orthodontic Treatment
This is an early phase of treatment carried out when there are both adult and deciduous teeth present. It is indicated for specific problems and is aimed at intercepting problems and avoiding more complex issues later on. This early treatment addresses severe bite problems so that further bite issues will be simplified or avoided when the child gets older. Treatment at this time also allows for taking advantage of growth and modifying it if necessary.
2. Adolescent Treatment
General Treatment happens when the child no longer has baby teeth or possibly only a few, and is entering the teenager years. At this age an individual is still growing and responsive to orthodontic treatment. This can be beneficial for treatment if growth modification is necessary.
3. Adult Treatment
Adult treatment is becoming increasingly more popular, not just for appearance purposes but for the maintenance of their oral health, teeth and gums, as well as more complex rehabilitation of the bite.
In order for your child to have successful results, the first place to start is seeing a qualified specialist Orthodontist so that they can correctly advise you on how and when the treatment will go.
