Getting your child an early orthodontic evaluation will help them to have excellent oral health. Having great oral health will mean having great overall health. Having orthodontic problems can cause a wide variety of issues that can lead to pain and expense.

Common Dental Problems

By having an early orthodontic evaluation, our orthodontist can correct many common dental problems. This includes uneven bites, protruding teeth, and misaligned teeth. Crowded teeth are often difficult to brush and floss. This can lead to bacteria build-up and cavities. Teeth that are protruding are susceptible to breakage and chipping. If your child has a cross bite, this can cause uneven tooth wear. Uneven tooth wear can cause damage to the teeth as well as cause cavities. If your child has an open bite, he or she is at risk for speech impediments and tongue thrusting.

When your child goes to the orthodontist, he or she will be able to make room for erupting teeth and crowded teeth. This will help prevent the need to remove teeth, and it will also help reduce the amount of time that your child will have to wear braces. Orthodontic treatment will also help to treat early baby tooth loss, tongue thrusting, and thumb sucking.

What Age Should Your Child be for Evaluation?

It is commonly recommended that children have an orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7. This evaluation is recommended because tooth development can vary wildly from child to child. The orthodontist will be able to take x-rays and examine your child’s teeth to make sure that he or she has the room for all their permanent teeth. The orthodontist will also be able to tell what kind of orthodontic treatment the child will need in the future. The age of 7 allows the dentist to see the first adult molars. These molars establish the back bite. Being able to see these teeth will enable the orthodontist to check on the side to side tooth relationships and the front to back tooth relationships.

Early Treatment Equals Early Results

A great reason to have an early orthodontist evaluation is to treat any dental issues quickly. Your child’s jaw is still growing, which makes it easier to treat things like a cross bite. An orthodontist will repair a cross bite by using a palatal expander. If this is left alone and not treated early, it could cause oral surgery later on in the child’s life. If a child has to have surgery later on in life, it can be more painful and be more expensive.

If you have a child who has not had an orthodontist evaluation and has reached the age of 7, you should make an appointment with Kidzania today. This evaluation can help save your child from common dental issues further down the road. While the child may not need treatment at the moment, our Orthodontist can make a plan to ensure that your child’s teeth and bite are perfectly healthy for the rest of their lives.