Your child’s dental health is an important aspect of their physical and mental well-being. Other than keeping those pearly whites beautiful and bright, being mindful of your child’s bite and teeth alignment also plays a critical role in maintaining their confidence, whether in school or play. Often, parents wonder if their kid needs to see an orthodontist at a young age.
Orthodontic issues are not something to joke about, and we at About Faces and Braces believe that a consultation primes your little one for better dental health in the long run.
Dentist Versus Orthodontist
Both dentists and orthodontists offer gum and teeth treatment; however, the key differences between the two professions lie in their specialization. A dentist is a generalist, providing diverse dental services to clients — from tooth extraction to teeth whitening. An orthodontist, on the other hand, receives additional specialization in treating teeth and jaw misalignments.
What Does An Orthodontist Do?
Whether your child has an underbite, overbite, or an overlapping set of teeth, an orthodontist can help address said dental issues through surgery and dental appliances, which include braces, orthodontic headgear, and retainers. In About Faces and Braces, our team of professional orthodontics provides tailored treatment plans to ensure that the needs and goals of parents and their children are met.
Why Does Your Child Need to See An Orthodontist?
An amazing smile not only leaves a long-lasting impression but also exudes self-confidence. Beyond smiles, seeing an orthodontist leads to significant improvements in your child’s dental health. If you observe any or all of the following issues in your little one, it may be time to schedule a free orthodontic consultation with About Faces and Braces:
- Bad Bites
- Medically known as malocclusion, bad bites are one of the main culprits of dental issues. When your child’s jaw is misaligned, they can experience speech problems, cracked teeth, tooth erosion and decay, gum disease, and jaw pain. Leaving them untreated will set you up for higher dental care costs.
- Mouth Breathing
- Don’t dismiss this as a trivial symptom or childhood habit. Mouth breathing due to a bad bite has repercussions on your child’s health, causing crooked teeth and poor facial development. In this case, it’s best to see our orthodontic specialists, so your kid will sport a better bite and break their habit of mouth breathing as early as possible.
- Poor Self-Confidence
- To an extent, appearances matter — and your kid’s smile is one of the things that their peers will notice. If your child covers their mouth and becomes self-conscious of their smile, they are less likely to have fruitful social interactions with other children.
- This can trigger social anxiety and feelings of isolation. Thankfully, About Faces and Braces offers Invisalign and other treatment options that not only straighten your child’s pearly whites but also grow their confidence in flashing a winning smile.
What Is the Right Age to See An Orthodontist?
As per the recommendations of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Dr. Shawn and Dr. Candice of About Faces and Braces, children as early as seven years old must undergo orthodontic consultation and treatment. While there’s no right age — or even an age limit — to consult an orthodontist, being proactive about your child’s dental health at a young age aids in the preemptive treatment of orthodontic problems.
What to Expect In Your Child’s First Visit to An Orthodontist
Visits to the dentist — or in this case, an orthodontist — can be daunting for children. However, it doesn’t have to be that way, as we place high importance on your first visit. Your first consultation with us is free of charge. During your visit, you and your child are entitled to a number of perks, including an office tour, cookies and coffee, and x-rays. You’ll also be able to speak with Drs. Shawn and Candice and the clinic’s New Patient Coordinator.
After our orthodontic treatment coordinator has taken photos of your child’s teeth, you will be in a consultation room with Dr. Shawn or Dr. Candice, who will then inform you of our team’s personalized treatment plan for your child. Payment, discomfort during treatment, and other concerns will be discussed, as well. Best of all, we also offer free virtual consultations as an alternative to in-person visits.
Kickstart Your Orthodontic Journey With Us
You don’t have to wait until your child has become a teenager to get started on their first orthodontic consultation. Though the recommended age is seven, early consultations with an orthodontist are especially beneficial to children, minimizing the risks associated with irregular bites and other orthodontic issues.
During the consultation, it’s important to ask questions about your little one’s orthodontic treatment as well as the potential discomfort they may experience. Treatment takes time, but your child’s patience will be rewarded with the beautiful smile they deserve for a lifetime.
If you and your kid are ready to undertake this journey, schedule a free online or face-to-face consultation on our official website today!