Orthodontic Treatment Timing in Your Area

If you have been thinking about orthodontic treatment for yourself or your child, you are likely to wonder: When is the right time to see an orthodontist? It varies for children and adults. 

Some general signs to schedule a visit include:

• Misaligned or crooked teeth 
• Issues with chewing or biting
• Tooth or jaw pain and discomfort
• Crowded or overlapping teeth

We understand that even with these guidelines, the signs to see an orthodontist are not always clear-cut. Below, we go into further detail about when children and adults can benefit from orthodontic care. 

Understanding Orthodontics for Children

Children should have an orthodontic examination by age 7, according to the American Association of Orthodontics. 

There are two very good reasons for this:

1. Children often have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. An orthodontist can determine whether the child’s mouth has adequate room to accommodate all their necessary permanent teeth. They can also identify abnormalities in a child’s dental development. 
2. An early examination can catch problematic conditions before they become more difficult to address. Many orthodontic treatments work in tandem with a child’s natural growth processes. For example, a palatal expander can effectively treat a child’s crossbite (a condition where the upper teeth close inside the lower ones) because their jaw is still growing rapidly. Leaving this condition unchecked could necessitate oral surgery later on. 

Orthodontic treatment can address other common childhood problems. These include early or late loss of baby teeth, persistent thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing. 

Is your child exhibiting any of these things? Contact our office today. We offer free consultations, making it easy to learn about the kinds of orthodontic care that could benefit your child. We can also enroll them in our Grow Up Smiling program. 

To schedule yours, call (217) 769-8089 or reach out to us online.