We’re willing to bet you had orthodontic treatment in your youth. And, even if you didn’t, you probably had someone close to you who did undergo the process of getting braces, a retainer, and maybe even more.
But the whole process can feel brand new again when it comes to your own child.
So, if your little one is still smiling broadly with baby teeth, you may wonder what age is “too early” to see an orthodontist. Don’t worry, we have the answer below:
A Countdown to Orthodontic Care
Generally speaking, parents should not have their children undergo orthodontic treatment if they are younger than about six or seven years old.
“Why age 7? By then, your child has enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to evaluate the developing teeth and the jaws, which in turn can provide a wealth of information,” the American Association of Orthodontics (AA) explains. “AAO orthodontists are trained to spot subtle problems even in young children.”
In other words, it is simply too soon to tell if early orthodontic treatment is warranted if they are any younger than that.
Thus, you’ll want to wait until more of their baby teeth fall out and adult teeth grow in. Only then can your pediatric orthodontist account for any malocclusions and begin to correct them both safely and appropriately.
Diffusing First Appointment Jitters
Have no fear — your child’s first orthodontic visit will only involve an examination so that the pediatric orthodontist can begin to put together an individualized plan.
“At the first visit, the orthodontist will examine your child’s teeth, mouth, and jaw,” according to Nemours Kids Health. “They may ask your child to bite the teeth together and may also ask questions about whether your child has problems chewing or swallowing, or has ever had clicking or popping of the jaw.”
If they identify a problem, we urge you to take swift action rather than delaying treatment into your child’s teenage years.
This is because, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), not correcting orthodontic complications in a timely manner could cause…
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Tooth loss
- Negatively impacted chewing
- Jaw pain
- Tooth enamel damage
- And more
Your Trusted Pediatric Orthodontic Team
Even if your child is too young for orthodontic attention, we guarantee they’re not too young for dental care provided by our award-winning team of board-certified pediatric dentists!
Here at Setzer, Cochran, and Soares Pediatric Dentistry, we offer a wide variety of services for children of all ages. What’s more, from check-ups to cleanings and orthodontic care, we have decades of combined experience.
Altogether, our goal is to help your child have both the happiest and healthiest smile possible!
So, are you ready to visit a locally-trusted dental team with your child? Then it’s time to contact Setzer, Cochran, and Soares Pediatric Dentistry! Call us today at (904) 733-7254 to get started. We can’t wait to share a smile.