When It Comes to Seeing an Orthodontist Seven Is Your Lucky Number

SEEING AN ORTHODONTIST EARLY, BY AGE 7, CAN PREVENT MANY PROBLEMS FROM OCCURRING LATER

According to the American Association of Orthodontics, the best way to prevent many orthodontic issues is through early detection and intervention. This is most easily accomplished at age 7. Although 7 might seem too young for braces, it is at this age that orthodontists are able to identify developing orthodontic problems.

Also, at age 7 there is still enough development left that certain problems can be corrected before they become a more complicated issue. Certain orthodontic problems are most easily corrected prior to puberty, so sometimes we have a small window in which we can correct problems. Most children will not require treatment at age 7, but an orthodontist can give you an idea of what treatment the child will require even if that treatment is closer to adolescence.

For example, through early intervention, Silver Smiles is able to:

1) Guide Jaw Growth 

This means we’re able to help fix skeletal problems like a crossbite or an overbite, as well as help children whose jaws appear to be too narrow for the developing teeth.

2) Lower the Risk of Trauma to Protruding Front Teeth 

When front teeth stick out, they can become subjected to injury because they are not protected by the lips. With early treatment, Silver Smiles can correct this problem and protect your child’s front teeth.

3) Improve Appearance 

Early intervention can improve a child’s overall appearance by helping to put teeth into the position they are supposed to be. This can help children by increasing self-confidence during the formative years of late elementary/early adolescence.

4) Guide Permanent Teeth into A More Favorable Position 

As mentioned above, because children’s bones and teeth positioning are more malleable at this young age, we’re able to guide their permanent teeth into a more favorable position. This could significantly reduce the amount of time your child wears braces later or mean that your child may not need braces later.

 5) Improve the Way Lips Meet 

One of the main features of a smile isn’t merely your child’s pearly whites, but also their lips. When teeth stick out due to an overbite or an underbite, or when they are crooked, it can greatly affect the way a child’s lips meet. Early intervention gives Silvers Smiles an opportunity to make sure that your child’s lips meet the way that they should.

6) Help Children Become Comfortable with Seeing An Orthodontist

When a child learns that they need braces, it can be scary and unfamiliar for them. They do not know what to expect and they do not know how they will look with braces. By visiting us early, you’re allowing the team at Silver Smiles to build a friendly rapport with your child so that they can begin to become comfortable with the idea of braces. This makes your child feel less nervous and more at ease with the process overall.

We hope this post gives you a better understanding of why it’s so important to schedule an orthodontist appointment sooner rather than later. Consultations are free at Silver Smiles and most children do not require treatment at the age of 7. If your child does not need treatment at the time of the consultation, Dr. Arthur Silver and Dr. Meagan Sturm will monitor the patient through our Developmental Supervision Program so that they can plan for treatment at the most advantageous time for your child’s specific needs. To find out more about our early treatment and our Developmental Supervision program, visit us online here.

And of course, if you have questions, our team is only a phone call away.

All the best,

The Team at Silver Smiles