When should I bring my child to the orthodontist for the first time?

Orthodontist for the first time

According to the American Association of Orthodontics, a child should visit the orthodontist for the first time around their seventh birthday. Oftentimes, patients and parents choose to wait for the general dentist to make a referral or until all of their child’s baby teeth fall out. So, why do we recommend their first visit so early?

1.The earlier your child is seen, the earlier possible complications can be diagnosed and treated, if necessary. Some of these complications can include:

a.Severe crowding that can be managed early

b.Crossbites (in the front or the back) that can possibly lead to uneven growth of the jaws

c.Underbites

d.Missing or extra teeth

2.Your child is growing! As orthodontists, we can use growth in our favor to being to treat any issues we see arising at a younger age. When a child is fully grown, some of our treatment options can become limited based on bone and skeletal development.

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