The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that children have their first orthodontic check-up at the age of seven.
Some indications your child should have an orthodontic check-up include:
- Irregular, late or early loss of primary (baby teeth)
- Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
- Teeth and jaw which is out of proportion with the rest of the face
- Overcrowded teeth
In addition, you may also notice some signs in your child’s behaviour that dental braces may be needed including:
- Thumb or finger sucking
- Mouth breathing
- Difficulty in chewing or biting
At this time, orthodontists also evaluate for proper tooth development and eruption to make sure that all of the permanent teeth are coming in properly. By addressing these problems early in life it should prevent further (and potentially more costly) teeth problems later on down the line. That’s why taking your child to the orthodontist sooner rather than later can help determine if early intervention methods might be necessary. Oh, and don’t worry if you think that your child might be ‘unlucky’ with their teeth. According to one US-based survey by the American Association of Orthodontics, a little under 75% of kids need dental braces.
To see if your child would benefit from early orthodontic treatment, give us a call to schedule a complimentary consultation (no referral needed) or you can schedule directly through our website!
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