When is the best time to take your child to see an orthodontist? The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial visit no later than age 7. Now is a great time to focus on helping our children make sure they are on track to have a healthy, beautiful smile that will last them a lifetime.
There are seven things you can look for to help determine if your child may need orthodontic treatment.
- Do the upper teeth protrude? “Buck teeth” is the most common orthodontic problem.
- Is there a deep bite? This is when the upper teeth cover the lower teeth too much.
- Is there an underbite? This is when the upper front teeth fit inside the arch of the lower teeth.
- Is there a crossbite? This is when the upper back teeth fit inside of the lower teeth.
- Is there an open bite? This is when the upper and lower front teeth don’t touch each other when the back teeth are together.
- Is there too little or too much room for the teeth? This is when there are crowded and overlapped teeth, or large gaps between the teeth.
- Do the front teeth line up? The space between the upper and lower front teeth should line up together in the middle of the face.
An evaluation by an orthodontist will help assess if there is a problem, and the optimal time for treatment can be determined. If you have questions or concerns for your child, feel free to contact us and come in for your complimentary evaluation. Consider it our gift to you!
