Share:

Gaining a straight smile often begins with braces. Plus, orthodontic care can not only resolve existing oral health issues but also prevent future ones. If you think your child may need braces, use the following guide to determine when you should schedule an appointment with an orthodontist.

What Do Braces Do?

Braces resolve a number of malocclusions, including crossbites, overbites, and underbites. These problems can arise from issues like oral trauma, long-term thumb-sucking, and premature tooth loss. When left unaddressed, malocclusions can impact the shape of your child’s face and how their speech develops.

braces-anchorageBraces gradually guide the teeth and jaw into a healthy position. Once an orthodontist has identified the existing issues, they’ll design a braces plan for your child and make adjustments to their hardware throughout treatment. A straight smile is easier to clean, so your child will be less likely to develop tooth decay, gum disease, and many other oral health complications.

When to Schedule an Appointment

There’s no definite age for when to schedule a first visit to the orthodontist. Generally, many children go around age 7 when their permanent teeth are coming in.

You may also want to schedule an appointment if your child has noticeably misaligned or protruding teeth; trouble chewing, speaking, or biting; or if their upper and lower teeth don’t meet or align. During their visit, an orthodontist will take a full survey of their mouth, then create a course of action.

 

If it’s time for your child’s next visit to the dentist, contact Family First Dentistry. This Anchorage, AK, practice provides comprehensive orthodontic and oral health services, including Invisalign® and AcceleDent® to make the treatment as quick and comfortable as possible. Explore their full scope of services online, and call (907) 562-2820 to schedule an appointment. You can also connect on Facebook for more dentist-approved care tips.

tracking