Give your child a head start on a great smile.
You gave them their sense of humor.
We’ll give them a great smile.
At Dr. Gen Orthodontics, we believe everyone deserves a great smile. The thing is, the earlier we can catch and identify an orthodontic problem, the better your child’s overall results will be. That’s why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children get evaluated by age 7. In many cases, coming in for this appointment doesn’t mean your child will start orthodontics care, but it will allow to plan for the most appropriate time to intervene. If you have a child that’s about to turn 7 (or has already turned 7), schedule your free orthodontic evaluation today. This one appointment can give your child a head start on having a beautiful smile for life.
Why age 7?
By this age, many children will have their first molars and other adult teeth are starting to erupt. This initial appointment allows us to get scans and images that we can use to assess any current or potential issues. If your child is not ready for treatment, we will monitor their smile development. We do this by scheduling your child for appointments every 6 months or so for reassessment; this way, we are sure to start treatment at the most optimal time. If we notice that early intervention is needed, we can step in and provide care before the problem becomes more complex.
Airway:
Another part of your child’s appointment is their airway. Orthodontics is not just for straightening teeth – it can also improve your child’s airway so that they (and you!) can sleep soundly at night and enjoy better breathing and overall health. Possible issues to watch for in a young child are mouth breathing, snoring, teeth grinding, unusual sleep posture, as well as tossing and turning during sleep. If you notice any of these signs, please call our office right away.
Your First Visit:
- Your first evaluation is 100% complimentary
- We’ll take photos & x-rays
- We’ll discuss your child’s smile with you and provide any recommendations
A Few Things We Watch Out For:
Misaligned teeth are harder to keep clean. They can also lead to uneven wear & tear on your teeth.
This occurs when your child loses a baby tooth too early. This can happen if there is crowding, and a misaligned growing tooth pushes the neighboring tooth out prematurely. This may result in worse crowding later.
By age 7, kids typically have 4 permanent molars & up to 4 permanent incisors. If they have more than that or less, this could mean problems in the future.
Underbites happen when your lower jaw grows too far forward, or your upper jaw grows too small.
Front teeth that noticeably protrude – otherwise known as buck teeth – can cause speech problems or indicate a lower jaw that is growing deficiently.
Crossbites happen when your top teeth close inside your bottom teeth. This can make your jaws shift from side to side causing asymmetrical jaw growth.
Deep bites happen when your top teeth cover more of your lower teeth and can indicate a smaller lower jaw.
Open bites are when your bottom teeth and your top teeth don’t meet. This can be caused by a tongue thrusting problem. When teeth do not overlap, it is very difficult to chew properly.
Give your child a head start toward a great smile.
Schedule your free evaluation today!
