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Orthodontics

4 Reasons to Take Your Child to the Orthodontist

Jan 29 • 3 minute read

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age seven. While this may seem young, particularly for those of us with teenage memories of braces and headgear, it’s actually in line with oral development. Early orthodontic check-ups also play an important role in establishing dental health and can help you and your child avoid more extensive dental work in the future.  

For those worried about their kindergartener donning a full set of braces, it is important to remember that few orthodontic issues need correction at that age, and a check-up doesn’t mean your child is destined for extensive treatment. Read on for the top reasons you should take your child to the orthodontist this year. 

  1.  Identify potential problems early to avoid costly treatment later. Though at the age of seven children still have some baby teeth, by that time, they also have enough   permanent teeth for an orthodontist to evaluate if a problem exists or is developing. At this stage, children typically have their adult molars, and orthodontists can identify   potential problems such as:

    • Missing or extra teeth

    • Overbite (the upper front teeth cover the lower front teeth)

    • Underbite (the lower jaw sits in front of the upper jaw)

    • Crossbite (the upper teeth fit inside of lower teeth)

    • Open bite (when the back teeth are together, the upper and lower front teeth do not overlap)

If you wait until your children are tweens or teens before seeing an orthodontist, they may require extensive treatment for alignment issues, overcrowding, crooked teeth, and/or impacted molars – all of which are easier to correct at a younger age. 

      2.  Prevent trauma to the teeth and gums. If a child does have an overbite, an orthodontist can take steps to decrease the protrusion and correct the misalignment early on.                     Beyond social implications, the biggest issue with overbites is that if a child with protruding teeth falls, they run the risk of breaking or cracking a tooth. This type of                             trauma can result in a lifetime of dental work. Additionally, it’s extremely difficult to treat broken or knocked-out teeth until the patient’s growth has stopped and an implant                 can be placed. Untreated overbites can also result in extreme wear of the back teeth and eventual jaw problems. Other issues that stem from overbites, like crowding                             and spacing, make teeth harder to clean and can lead to gum disease.

      3.  Guide tooth eruption. Another benefit of early dental intervention is the opportunity to direct unerupted teeth.  When children experience extreme discomfort during the                     teething process, it can be a sign that teeth below the gumline do not have enough space to erupt properly. By taking x-rays, orthodontists can determine the trajectory of                       unerupted teeth. In the event that there are existing teeth in the way, your orthodontist will be able to address it with an appropriate treatment method. Failure to correct                         misguided teeth can result in crooked teeth and a potentially misaligned jaw.

      4.  Correct harmful oral habits. Many children develop poor oral habits before the age of seven. Thumb or finger sucking, teeth grinding, and breathing through the mouth, are               all common habits that can negatively impact your child’s oral health. However, there are a number of orthodontic treatments available to help correct these habits (i.e., palatal             expander, thumb sucking appliance, etc.), and the earlier they are addressed, the better! Additionally, visiting an orthodontist at a young age encourages a child to form healthy             oral habits and maintain good oral hygiene going forward. 

Schedule A Consultation

Whether you’re concerned about your child’s dental health or simply want to be proactive, our team is ready to answer your questions. Our goal is to make you and your child feel at ease from the moment you step into our practice. To schedule a consultation, please call our orthodontic team at (719) 596-3098.


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