According to the American Association of Orthodontists, it is recommended that children be evaluated by an orthodontist around the age of 7. This does not mean all children require braces or treatment at that point. Around this age your child already has multiple grown up teeth and their jaws are developing in a certain pattern.
The benefits of an early evaluation are:
Guiding teeth into their desired position
Guiding jaw growth
Reducing risk of traumatizing protruded front teeth
Correcting harmful oral habits such as thumb sucking or pacifier use
Aligning teeth for an improved appearance
Signs to look out for include but are not limited to:
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Difficulty chewing or biting with the front teeth
Mouth breathing
Severe crowding – grown up teeth coming in behind or in front of baby teeth
Jaw shifting
Tooth grinding
Protruding teeth
Biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth
Inability to close the mouth while child is at rest
Did you notice any of these signs?
Dr. Justyna Balicka at Huntington Orthodontics is offering complimentary consultations to evaluate your child.
This does not mean they 100% require treatment, however you can have a peace of mind knowing what conditions exist and what the treatment options are. We can be reached at 631-423-7857. Our website is www.huntingtonortho.com