Orthodontists: When should I take my child?

When should I take my child for a first orthodontic evaluation? Surely, you have wondered what the experts recommend in this regard.

There are many reasons for early evaluation, for example:

• Preventive care
• Guided growth for teeth, jaw, and palate
• Early detection of orthodontic problems

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation at seven years old. But why at the age of seven? When is it necessary to take children before? What to expect on the first visit? What types of orthodontic treatments are available for children? If you are looking for answers, this article is for you. Continue reading and stay informed.

Why would my kid need to go to a pediatric orthodontist?

Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry focused on the treatment and prevention of irregularities of the teeth and jaws. In children, orthodontists seek to improve dentition to align the teeth and improve eating while at the same time improving aesthetics. Orthodontics may also help with breathing or pronunciation.

As mentioned earlier, orthodontists recommend that children have a first orthodontic evaluation at age seven. Although there are many reasons to go early for an orthodontist visit, this age is precisely when permanent teeth begin to erupt. Orthodontists can detect problems early at this age.

Benefits of going early

Some reasons to have an early evaluation include the following:

• To assess dental development: Typically, children at age seven have a mixture of permanent and baby teeth. Because of this, an orthodontist can evaluate if there are problems with erupting teeth, jaw alignment, or space for the new teeth to erupt.

• To guide the kid’s jaw growth: Starting early with guides at this age can influence how the jaw grows to fit all the teeth. Because this is a developmental age, it may be only during childhood and adolescence that these bones can be modified, and thus, surgery can be avoided later in life.

• To identify potentially damaging oral habits: Habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting can hinder proper tooth growth. Early visits to an orthodontist can help correct these behaviors early.

• To prevent possible complications: Orthodontists mitigate and eliminate respiratory, speech, and other problems with early detection.

The orthodontist earlier than age seven

In some cases, children may need an orthodontist before age seven. Parents should be aware of signs or issues that may appear early and could affect the function of their child’s teeth in the future.

Potential early issues that might appear

Let’s discuss some of the early issues that may indicate a problem that needs orthodontic correction:

• Bad habits such as thumb sucking, which can cause misalignment of the teeth.
• Jaw problems, such as crossbites, underbites, or overbites that occur when the upper teeth do not fit the lower teeth as they should.
• Problems chewing, or difficulty eating food normally.
• Specific respiratory problems such as mouth breathing and even snoring.
• Speech problems and impediments in pronouncing some sounds.
• Visibly misaligned teeth.

Of course, these issues do not always indicate orthodontic problems, but it is always good to rule them out with a specialist. For example, respiratory problems could be signs of other complications, which are different from orthodontic issues.

What to expect on the first orthodontic evaluation?

Generally, on a first visit, you can expect the orthodontist to:

• Ask you for your child’s detailed dental history.
• Perform a complete orthodontic examination, which may include x-rays.
• Make a diagnosis and explain your options.
• Make a personalized plan for your child.

It is crucial to explain and prepare your child for the visit. It is important to see it in a positive light to have a better experience. Additionally, you can plan a fun activity for your child at the end of the visit to make it enjoyable. Remember to congratulate your child for everything that went well during the visit.

Can my regular dentist make an orthodontic evaluation?

Yes, a regular dentist can perform an initial evaluation for your child. However, if your dentist detects any potential issues, experts recommend that you also visit an orthodontist.

Dentists can do basic screenings and X-rays to detect common general problems.

A specialist should perform a comprehensive evaluation with advanced imaging and bite analysis to develop a specialized, tailored treatment plan for your child.

What kinds of orthodontic treatments are available for children?

Orthodontic treatments for children vary widely depending on the need. There are common treatments for children, such as:

• Braces: Braces can be metal or ceramic. Kids use them to accommodate teeth in overcrowding or misalignments of the bite.
• Invisalign: These aligners, usually made of plastic, are widely used for mild crowding or spacing issues.
• Retainers: Retainers are custom-made aligners used after removing braces to keep teeth in the correct position.
• Headgear: These devices are external and help accommodate the jaw.
• Palate expanders: These devices open and expand the palate to improve crossbite or crowding problems.

More specialized treatments include space maintainers and bionators. All of these treatments may cause discomfort in children.

Additionally, some of these gears are not very attractive. However, when a family makes a choice, it is essential to stick to it to correct the problem.

Aesthetic vs. functional considerations

While it is true that our children may need orthodontic treatments to improve certain health conditions, we may also opt for dental alignment treatments for aesthetic reasons. There are several reasons to consider an aesthetic orthodontic treatment as necessary.

The orthodontic issue is not only aesthetic for the sake of looking good; it also helps children boost their confidence. Childhood is a crucial moment in developing self-esteem. Having crooked teeth or protruding jaws can have consequences for future self-esteem.

One important thing to remember about orthodontic treatments is that they benefit our children. Their importance lies in their overall well-being. Whether to prevent future damage or to improve their self-esteem, the bottom line is that childhood and adolescence are the best age for orthodontic treatments.

These orthodontic decisions should be made during bone development since correcting them will be more difficult when children become adults.

Sources:

• NHS: Orthodontic treatments
• American Association of Orthodontists: Orthodontics for Children: Developing a Healthy Smile
• Orthodontics Australia: When to see an Orthodontist
• National Library of Medicine: Parental Satisfaction with Their Children’s Rapid Palatal Expansion Treatment Provided by Orthodontists and Pediatric Dentists