The American Association of Orthodontists recommends seeing an orthodontist by age 7.
When new parents start thinking about their child’s dental health, the question is usually about when to bring the little one in for their first dentist appointment. They’re usually surprised at how early that first appointment should be: at 6 months! The reason for this is to make sure those early teeth are coming in properly and that there are no issues. So, as a parent, at what age do you think it’s appropriate for a first orthodontist visit?
Most people think that it’s when a dentist says to you, “You need to take your child to an orthodontist,” or when they’re in their early teens. That seems correct, doesn’t it? That’s what happened to you, right? And to all your peers when you were younger?
You may be surprised to learn that the American Association of Orthodontists advises parents to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist by the time their child is 7 years old. We anticipate your chagrin. Why on earth would your child need to come in that early? The reasons are primarily preventative. The earlier we can catch an issue, say, with the jaw or bite, the less complicated treatment will be. Orthodontic issues are always more complicated the older a person gets, so if we catch a problem early, we can prevent a bigger disruption in your child’s life. There are several areas that we’re looking at: bite patterns, jaw development, habits that may prevent oral health, etc. If we find them early and treat them early, the less issues your child will have as they get older.
We’re all about making your life better as a patient and as a parent. We know that the prospect of orthodontic treatment may not be on your radar at the moment, but remember, we’re here to help you in any way we can. So give us a call and schedule an appointment for your child today.
