Is your child 7 years or older? If they are, have they gone to an orthodontist yet?
If not, it’s time to change that!
In orthodontics, the “magic age of 7” marks a unique time in a child’s life when the development of their mouth is in full swing and an orthodontist is able to spot certain problems before they become serious.
By catching problems early, an orthodontist is able to guide growth using non-invasive methods, helping your child avoid more complex, invasive, and expensive treatments down the line.
This is why early orthodontic evaluations matter. It can be the difference between a simple, non-invasive treatment plan and a complex surgical approach.
Even if your child doesn’t end up needing early orthodontic intervention, seeing orthodontic specialists early can give you the peace of mind that your child’s mouth is developing properly and can create a good baseline for growth monitoring.
In this blog, we’re going to be breaking down everything you need to know about what early orthodontic consultations are, when they should happen, and why they’re important for your child’s developmental health.
What Is an Early Orthodontic Evaluation?
An early orthodontic evaluation for children is where an orthodontic specialist examines your child’s teeth, bite, and jaw to see how they’re developing.
It doesn’t automatically mean that your child is going to need orthodontic treatment. In fact, most children don’t start treatment immediately. This initial orthodontic consultation is all about growth monitoring and making sure that your child’s development is headed in the right direction.
It’s a proactive step toward optimal dental care, where if there is a problem developing, an orthodontist can correct it early, before it turns into a bigger and more complex challenge.
By typing “kids orthodontist near me” or “children’s orthodontics near me” into Google, you can take the important first step of finding a quality orthodontist to give your child an early orthodontic consultation.
When Should a Child See an Orthodontist?
So, you see the importance of an early evaluation, but exactly when should a child see an orthodontist?
It’s commonly accepted, and recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists, that kids should get their first orthodontic consultation around the age of 7.
If you’ve wondered before when should kids see an orthodontist, you probably figured it would be later, and are thinking that 7 sounds early. However, at this age, adult teeth are starting to come in, the jaw is actively developing, and certain bite issues are starting to show.
This makes it a perfect time for an orthodontist to determine if there are any issues popping up, and if there are, intervene early with simple treatment options that can minimize the complexity of future treatments. When it comes to orthodontics, the earlier the better.
Why Early Orthodontic Evaluations Matter
So, what exactly makes timing so important and what’s the actual importance of early orthodontic treatment?
Let’s dive into it!
Catching Problems Before They Get Worse
There are all kinds of early indicators an orthodontist can pick up on during an early evaluation that suggest your child’s development is headed in the wrong direction.
Some common issues that can be identified during an early evaluation include:
- Tooth crowding and spacing issues
- Bite issues (crossbites, underbites, overbites, etc.)
- Jaw growth imbalances (narrow upper jaw, upper and lower jaw not growing in sync, etc.)
One of the biggest benefits of early orthodontic treatment is that when issues are caught early, there’s a wider range of treatment options available and less invasive treatments are more effective. By catching problems early, you’re not reacting to a problem; you’re staying ahead of it. When possible, preventive orthodontics for kids is almost always going to be better than reactionary treatment.
There are all kinds of early intervention orthodontic treatment options that help a child’s mouth develop properly. For example, a palatal expander for kids can widen a narrow upper jaw, and could prevent a child from needing jaw surgery in the future.
And that segues into our next point of why early orthodontic evaluations matter.
Guiding Jaw Growth
A huge advantage that a child has over an adult when it comes to orthodontics is that they’re still growing.
One of the things that interceptive orthodontics (early treatment or Phase I treatment) is especially important in correcting is improper jaw growth. By guiding the development of a child’s jaw, an orthodontist can correct certain issues like jaw alignment and overcrowding of teeth.
Interceptive orthodontics for kids is only possible while your child is still growing, which is why it’s so important for your child to get an early evaluation.
Making Future Treatment Easier
A huge goal of early orthodontic treatment for children is making future treatments simpler. This could lead to a number of benefits ranging from decreased treatment times to less painful treatment to a reduced price for treatment.
Essentially, smart orthodontic treatment planning that starts early can make a huge difference in your child’s overall orthodontic journey and experience.
Monitoring Growth Over Time
Even if your child doesn’t need treatment right away, consistent growth monitoring is critical for making sure your child’s development stays on track.
That way, if anything does change with your child’s development, an orthodontist can identify it right away, making sure the problem is addressed before it becomes more difficult to correct.
Children’s orthodontics really comes down to keeping an eye on things, and acting when the time is right with a strategic and staged approach.
Building Confidence Early
For a lot of kids, going to the orthodontist can be overwhelming and intimidating. By getting your child into an orthodontist at a younger age, the process of going to the orthodontist can be normalized, so that when it’s time to actually begin treatment they feel more comfortable.
What Happens During an Orthodontic Consultation?
Your child’s initial orthodontic consultation will be a simple and stress-free affair.
First, an orthodontist will examine your child’s teeth and take images or X-rays if needed. After evaluating your child’s jaw growth and spacing, they’ll discuss next steps with you and your child.
In many cases, growth monitoring and continued observation will be recommended. If treatment is decided to be the best option, then a detailed orthodontic treatment plan will be put together so you know exactly what to expect.
How Early Orthodontics Fits Into Overall Dental Care
A person’s dental health journey starts long before their orthodontic journey. In fact, as a parent, you probably remember typing “pediatric dentist near me” or “kids dentist near me” into the search bar, trying to figure out the best dentist to bring your child to.
Regular dental visits are key for keeping your child’s teeth healthy and aren’t replaced when your child begins seeing an orthodontist.
The purpose of children’s orthodontics is more to make sure your child’s teeth fit together properly. The best dental care happens when your child’s dentist and orthodontist work together in a coordinated effort.
Signs Your Child Might Need an Early Evaluation
The magic age of 7 is a great general benchmark, but the reality is there also might be certain signs that it could be a good idea to get your child in to see an orthodontist sooner than that.
As a parent, keep an eye out for the following:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Prolonged thumb-sucking past early childhood
- Crowded teeth
- Jaw shifting or clicking
- Bite issues that could require underbite treatment for kids, a palatal expander for kids, or other early corrections
If you notice that your child is experiencing any of these, it could be time to set up an early evaluation sooner rather than later.
Finding the Right Orthodontist
There are a few common ways you might find an orthodontist.
You could start your search with a quick Google of “kids orthodontist near me” or “children’s orthodontics near me.” That’s a great way to kick things off.
Or, since you likely searched “children’s dentist near me” or “top pediatric dentist near me” years ago and have a pediatric dentist you like and trust, there’s a good chance they’ll have recommendations of good orthodontists to reach out to.
Lastly, you could ask friends and family who have already had kids go through orthodontic treatment. Honest reviews from people you trust are a great way to get the inside scoop.
Ultimately, you want to find an orthodontist who focuses on guiding growth and doesn’t rush treatment. Every child’s mouth develops differently and the goal of treatment should always be to create a plan that fits their specific needs.
Conclusion
When it comes to orthodontics, timing really is everything, and after reading this blog, it should be clear why early orthodontic evaluations matter. An early evaluation isn’t about immediately starting treatment; it’s about making sure your child’s development is on the right track and preventing small problems from developing into bigger ones.
The magic age of 7 is real. By identifying issues while your child’s mouth is still developing, an orthodontist can guide growth and make a real difference in simplifying future treatment.
If you’re looking for a quality orthodontist in San Antonio to help your child with an early orthodontic evaluation, the team at Pierson & Saunders Orthodontics is ready to help. We make sure that treatment is uniquely tailored to the needs of your child and ensure that the process is never rushed, always putting your child’s long-term development first.
