Are you wondering what the ideal age is to bring your child in for an orthodontic examination? When to get braces is one of the most commonly asked questions that parents ask. As a general rule, orthodontic examination and treatment can be done regardless of age. Of course, there is an exception to that rule. It is best to address certain orthodontic problems during its early stages; in which case, at specific ages.
To determine the best time to commence treatment, orthodontists would check on the degree of the dental and jaw problems. However, the American Association of Orthodontists highly recommends an orthodontic screening and treatment as early as seven years old. The rationale behind this is that the earlier you treat these orthodontic problems, the better the chances of addressing it effectively.
While this may be the recommended age for orthodontic screening, treatment at age seven rarely occurs. It is only under special circumstances that we follow this rule. In fact, many orthodontic problems are correctable only upon reaching 12 years old.
It is a common misconception that orthodontic treatment will have to wait until the patient has all of his or her permanent teeth. The sooner the treatment and alignment is initiated, the better the results would be. In addition, the treatment is much easier on the child if he or she goes through it at an earlier phase in his or her orthodontic problem.
Early orthodontic treatment provides many benefits. It can particularly bring tremendous impact on a child’s overall oral health. Not only that, early orthodontic treatment gives functional and aesthetic benefits, but also boost the child’s self-confidence, sense of self, and overall emotional well-being.
When a child is suffering from an orthodontic issue, he or she can be prone to aesthetic issues, exposing him or her to ridicule from classmates or friends. In turn, this can greatly affect his or her development.
Here are some of the warning signs that call for early orthodontic screening or treatment:
- Loss of teeth
- Difficulty when eating, chewing, biting, or opening the mouth
- Crowded or misaligned teeth
- Frequent biting of the cheek
- Lower teeth hitting the roof of the mouth
- Overbite or underbite
If your child is suffering from an orthodontic disorder and its symptoms are becoming prominent, why pass up on getting early treatment or screening?