How Early Orthodontic Evaluations Can Set the Stage for a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles
Are braces a childhood milestone?
Children go through many different developmental milestones. They learn to walk, talk, read, learn to drive, and some of them get braces. But every child has a different smile, which means orthodontic care will look different for everyone. Some might not even need it! This might leave you wondering if your child will need braces. We have the answer for you, and it’s simple—an early orthodontic evaluation.
You might be surprised to learn that the typical age for an orthodontic evaluation is seven years old. Your child’s dentist can go over the dental structures in detail to see exactly what they are dealing with and whether or not your child will benefit from orthodontic care. But why so young? This is important for many different reasons, so keep on reading!
Benefits of Early Orthodontic Evaluations
You might be asking, “What are the benefits of an early orthodontic evaluation? Why do they need to happen when a child is so young?”
These are completely understandable questions, and we have the answers ready for you.
Early orthodontic evaluations are used to identify any potential issues, such as crowding or bite problems. If your child has certain bite problems, such as a severe underbite, earlier work is necessary to set them up for success. This needs to be done while they are still young, before the jaw is finished growing.
Sometimes, a severe underbite can be repaired by a palate expander. This is done by expanding the upper jaw slowly so there is enough room for all of those little teeth, and so that the bite moves into an optimal position. If this isn’t done before they finish growing, it could sometimes require extensive surgeries to repair. When your child is older, this will usually need further orthodontic care in the form of braces or aligners to keep everything where it should be.
Every child’s orthodontic future is as different as they are, and that’s exactly how it should be. No matter what your child’s future dental care looks like, making a game plan early helps everyone involved prepare for what is to come. This detailed treatment plan is designed to ensure proper dental alignment for your child. Remember, once that jaw is done growing, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to repair certain issues without complex surgeries.
What to Expect During an Evaluation
We hear you when you say, “My child’s dentist looks at their teeth every six months. Why do they need to have a special evaluation too? What’s so special about it?” An orthodontic evaluation is more than a typical dental cleaning. During this visit, your child will have their teeth, jaw, and bite alignment checked.
By taking digital photos, your child’s dentist will be able to measure their bite to see if there is anything that will need correction as they grow. Next up, your child will have X-rays done of their teeth. If not all of their adult teeth have come in yet, this will help the dentist get an idea of how these teeth will come in and whether or not they will also need to be adjusted, or if spacers will need to be used while waiting for them to come in. Impressions are then used to check the placement of each individual tooth. This is typically done by creating a mold of their bite.
After going over all of the information, the dentist will discuss any current or future concerns with the parents. This is important to ensure that you are on the same page with the dental team and can make plans for your child’s future. We believe it’s better to have this open communication to keep the parents involved and aware of what’s going on with their child’s dental health.
Because of this, remember that there is no such thing as a stupid question–we mean it, we’ve heard them all! Ask anything you would like, and encourage your child to do the same. Communication is the key to successful dental care and can even help prevent dental anxiety!
Getting Those Smiles Ready for Life
We highly recommend that each of our little patients have an orthodontic evaluation around the age of seven. This helps you, the parent, to be aware of what is coming their way. It also helps everyone plan for any additional treatments if they are necessary. Remember that this is a simple step toward your child’s long-term dental health, and that sometimes it is necessary to start treatment while they are still young. With proper care, they will have their perfect smile for the rest of their lives.
Are you ready to schedule your little one’s orthodontic evaluation? If so, you can request an appointment here! We look forward to seeing those little smiles!
