Many parents often grapple with the question of whether they should wait for their child’s milk teeth to fall out before scheduling an orthodontist visit. Given how crucial the proper growth of permanent teeth is to dental health, the issue of the orthodontic visit should not be left to chance. In fact, it should be treated with the utmost importance in order to prevent future dental problems.
Benefits of Early Orthodontic Visits
An early orthodontic visit allows the orthodontist to inspect your child’s jaw and teeth to determine whether they are growing properly. This can help you identify potential dental problems such as overcrowding, crooked teeth, and Malocclusion, which occurs when there’s a difference in the sizes of the bottom and top jaws. Malocclusion can lead to problems such as ‘overbite’ if the upper jaw is larger than the lower jaw and ‘underbite’ in cases where the lower jaw is slightly larger compared to the upper jaw. Taking your child to an orthodontist, therefore, can help you to pick on these issues in their early stages and seek the necessary remedies to alleviate them. Usually, an orthodontist will recommend the installation of orthodontic braces to combat these dental problems. The success rate of this kind of treatment is usually more pronounced when the problem is identified early enough.
At What Age Should You Take Your Child to See an Orthodontist?
In general, there is no specific age for a child to have their first orthodontic visit. While some kids go for their first visit when they are as young as 6 years of age, some do not see an orthodontist until they are in their teens. Nevertheless, you are advised to take your kid to an orthodontist (at around the age of 7) when their permanent teeth are beginning to form. At this age, it is very easy to identify problems such as an uneven bite or overcrowding of teeth, and treatment can be administered successfully.
Get in Touch with our Experienced Professionals
As a parent, it is very crucial to ensure that your child receives the treatment and care that is necessary for their dental health. Contact us today to learn how you can safeguard your child’s smile and set them up for good dental health.
