The only conversation most parents prefer to have with their children concerning dental health usually revolves around a mythical fairy that sneaks into your house at night, somehow props up the pillow with your child’s sleeping head on it, collects an unseated tooth, and leaves a five-dollar bill in its place. (Yes, the price for baby teeth has seen a dramatic rise in recent years.)
A more serious dental health conversation that parents should be having among themselves is: When should my child see an orthodontist? Well, the highly qualified and skilled collection of men and women at The American Association of Orthodontists agrees that the optimal time for this visit is right around age seven.
The truth is that the baby teeth set the foundation for your child’s permanent teeth. It’s recommended to talk to your child’s pediatric dentist about seeing an orthodontist at this young age, especially if any of the following are taking place:
- Thumb sucking
- Speech difficulty
- Mouth breathing
- Jaw malformations
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Early loss of baby teeth
- Late loss of baby teeth
- Misaligned teeth
- Difficulty biting or chewing
Seven years old may seem early to a lot of parents out there who grew up in a time when braces were something exclusively for teenagers and pre-teens, but that’s not the best way to approach this. By that time, a lot of damage has already been done and you’re subjecting your child to a look they may not be entirely comfortable with at a very vulnerable age. Beyond that, there are three more key reasons for your child to see an orthodontist at this young age.
- Early identification – Even though most kids still have their baby teeth at this age, most orthodontic problems—like underbites/overbites, crowding, misalignment, and others—can be properly identified at this age.
- Budget planning – If expenses are a concern, by knowing about any issues at an early stage you can start taking action to move your finances around to get the work done without it seriously impacting your budget or other crucial expenses.
- Peace of mind – The best thing that can happen with an early trip to the orthodontist is that they tell you your child currently has a healthy smile, and they don’t foresee any need for orthodontic work yet. If that happens, it’s time to celebrate with cake and ice cream on the way home! The worst-case scenario is the orthodontist tells you that there is an underlying problem in your child’s mouth causing some problems that will require orthodontic work. You’ve already made things easier for your child, however, by getting them looked at early. At this point, you’ll be able to address the larger issue affecting your child’s teeth and get it corrected before a snowball effect takes over and multiple problems start to occur. Best or worst-case scenario, by having your child see an orthodontist early in life, you’ll have established sound peace of mind either way.
Not all problems can be corrected right away, but at least you can get an idea of the road ahead. Orthodontic problems that can be identified by age seven include crowding, misalignment, underbites/overbites, and others. It’s recommended to get your child seen as soon as these problems are identified so you can also take corrective action as soon as possible.
It should also be noted that dental technology has come a long way in recent years. A lot of childhood fears can be quickly put to rest upon the first visit to an orthodontist. When considering an orthodontist for your child, do your research and find one who has experience in all the recent approaches and procedures that will make your child’s visits as comfortable as possible. Also, make sure they have a kid-friendly manner, and you’ll be glad you addressed your child’s orthodontic needs sooner, rather than later.
At Grosso Orthodontics we take care of your child when it is time to see an orthodontist, bring them in! We will be happy to see them. We look forward to your visit!
