When Should your Child See an Orthodontist?

Dental offices for kids help young patients maintain good oral health. Strong oral health starts when a child is a toddler. To keep children’s teeth healthy, parents must help them create a daily routine that promotes oral health and visit a dentist twice every year for regular cleanings. During routine dental appointments, parents can ask any questions they may have. This includes when the child needs braces or if they will need them at all. Usually, pediatric dentists will refer the child to orthodontists.

When to Visit an Orthodontist?

Kids can visit the orthodontist as early as seven years old. During this time, they can have actual braces. But, they can also avail of other orthodontic solutions. Things such as an expander are highly effective to help create space if needed. For kids to be truly ready for a full orthodontic treatment, they must have all or the majority of their permanent teeth. Typically, this takes place somewhere between 10 and 1 years of age. At this time, they can start the process of wearing braces. Still, a lot of parents choose to visit an orthodontist early to start addressing problems and create a future plan for treatment.

There are many signs to watch for that your child may need braces. These include big spaces in between teeth, crooked teeth, teeth that fell out when they were very young, teeth not coming together when the jaw is closed, and over or underbite. If the dentist will observe any of these during routine dental examinations, they may suggest visiting an orthodontist.

What to Expect from your Child’s Dentist

Pediatric dentists help kids smile brightly. In addition, kids must be brought to their dentist’s office because, in a lot of cases, they can prevent the need for orthodontic treatment in the future. One of the reasons that teeth must be straightened is when the child lost them too early. If a tooth falls out because of decay or accident, the surrounding teeth will start to move and encroach upon the space. As a result, the new tooth will have no place to go when it eventually grows. Overcrowding leads to an unattractive smile and orthodontic treatment becomes imminent. By keeping your child’s teeth healthy and strong, their teeth are less likely to fall out prematurely, preventing orthodontic issues. If you want to improve your child’s smile, visit a pediatric dentist regularly by keeping their teeth clean and healthy.