How Early Should Children Start Orthodontic Treatment?

From sports practice to piano lessons to school work, your child – and you – have a lot on your plates. Amidst it all, don’t forget one important thing – orthodontics treatment. Whether your child has crooked, overlapping, or overcrowded teeth, early orthodontic treatment is a great way to get started on your child’s oral health and appearance to ensure they stay happy and healthy into their teenage years and beyond. At Cuddly Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in Allen, TX, our team makes your child’s oral health a priority – so you can get to the rest of that to-do list.

Why do some children need orthodontic treatment?

Just as there are plenty of reasons your child might need to visit the doctor, there are a variety of reasons you might need to make an appointment for orthodontics.

Kids might need orthodontic treatment due to:

• Crooked teeth

• Overlapping teeth

• Crowded teeth

• A “bad bite” (also called malocclusion), such as an overbite or an underbite

If your child needs orthodontic treatment, it’s completely normal. What’s more, in many cases, there’s not a lot you could have done to prevent it. Sometimes, tooth and jaw concerns might be a result of accidents, losing baby teeth too soon, or thumb-sucking. Or, they can be inherited from you or another family member.

How early should my child start orthodontic treatment?

You might be wondering when the best time is to begin orthodontic treatment. The answer is – it depends. Some children may have their first visit at age six, while others might wait until they are ten. Some may even wait until their teen years.

However, a good rule of thumb is to begin orthodontic treatment when your child’s permanent teeth start coming in, which is usually when they are around seven years old. This is when uneven bites and overcrowding will become more noticeable.

Keep in mind – your child won’t necessarily need to get braces right away after starting orthodontic treatment. Early appointments simply allow our orthodontic team in Allen, TX to begin identifying problems early and decide the ideal time to begin treatment.

What happens at your child’s first orthodontist appointment?

The first orthodontist appointment is a great way for our team of dentists to get to know you, your child, and your treatment goals.

At this appointment, one of our skilled dentists will perform a complete examination of your child’s mouth, including their teeth, mouth, and jaw. They may also have your child bite their teeth together to check for jaw problems.

You and your child may also be asked questions, such as if your child has felt clicking or popping in their jaw, or if they have encountered problems chewing or swallowing. All of these answers will help our team determine what treatment approach will be best for your child.

Your child may also receive x-rays of the mouth and teeth, allowing us to take a deeper look at their teeth and jaw, including any permanent teeth that still need to come in.

The first orthodontist appointment is a great way to get a head start on any treatment your child may need in the future to ensure they have a healthy and attractive smile for years to come.

Make an appointment for your child’s orthodontic treatment today

We know you have a lot to manage when it comes to your child, but don’t let orthodontic treatment fall too far down that list. Seeing an orthodontist early can help our team identify problems and determine the best treatment approach as they continue to grow. Make an appointment at Cuddly Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in Allen, TX today to put your child’s oral health first.