If you're a parent with young children, one of your primary concerns is ensuring your child's teeth develop normally. Although you may make sure your child practices good oral care habits, their teeth may grow abnormally, causing a crooked smile or an overbite. When this occurs, it's important to know when to take your child in for his or her first orthodontic consultation.
Does My Child Need to Be a Specific Age?
While there's no specific age range for your child's first orthodontic consultation, we recommend scheduling an appointment early. Between the ages of 6 and 7 are ideal, because this gives the teeth time to grow and develop. By 7, the child's teeth will start showing early signs of misalignment, so getting a consultation by that age will help identify problems before they become too severe.
Even if your child still has some baby teeth at the age of 7, a consultation with us will help spot growth problems in the jaw. In some cases, a problem may correct itself and the orthodontist may recommend regular evaluations to ensure your child's teeth grow normally. Recognizing issues early and taking steps to correct them can help your child avoid more severe dental problems later. This first consultation is important because it can discover problems that might otherwise go unnoticed until later.
Red Flags That Your Child Needs Orthodontic Care
Aside from the age of your child, there may be physical signs that something isn't quite right. By knowing what to look for as your child grows, you'll be able to prepare for your first visit to the orthodontist. One common indication that there's a problem is in the abnormal loss of baby teeth. If your child loses his or her teeth too soon or there's a delay in the loss of those early teeth, this suggests a larger problem.
Additionally, watch for these warning signs:
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Chewing and biting difficulties
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Frequent thumb sucking
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Breathing through the mouth
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Misaligned, crooked, or crowded teeth
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Jaws that seem too far forward or too far back
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Frequent biting of the roof of the mouth or the cheeks
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An overbite or underbite
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Bruxism or the grinding of teeth
Don't Delay in Getting Help
If your child does exhibit some of these warning signs, you can visit RAN Dentistry online or call us at972-200-0656 at your earliest convenience. A consultation with our child-friendly staff will help you get a better grasp of the condition of your child's teeth. You may find that you're worrying for nothing or we may recommend early treatment to avoid future problems. Either way, you'll leave our offices with a better understanding of your child's condition.