When to Consider Braces for Your Child?

Your smile is probably the first thing people notice about you. Therefore, it’s understandable that one’s oral hygiene can significantly impact self-worth and self-esteem. Unfortunately, many kids struggle with confidence due to poor dental health while growing up. Having crooked, misaligned, or irregularly spaced teeth can make them feel insecure amongst their peers. Visiting a braces dentist early on is the best way to help maintain and improve your child’s oral health while simultaneously boosting their morale. If you find yourself confused over when to get your little one braces, keep reading, and we’ll help you figure it out.

Why Do Children Need Braces?

It is vital to monitor your child’s dental growth during their growing years and visit an orthodontist if something appears to be abnormal. There are many reasons why your kid could end up needing braces. From overlapping, crowded and crooked teeth to jaw abnormalities and an under, over, or open crossbite - there are many reasons why your child could require braces. In most cases, dental disorders among kids are inherited. If someone in your family struggled with oral health issues in the past, your child might likely have a genetic predisposition to the same disease. However, that’s not always the case. Sometimes oral issues can arise due to facial trauma resulting from an accident or injury and habits like thumb-sucking or premature loss of baby teeth.

When Should a Child Get Braces?

While there is no specific age at which a child must be taken to an orthodontist, most experts suggest that parents start investing in orthodontic dental care once the child crosses 7 years of age. This is when children lose their baby teeth, and permanent teeth start growing in, which is usually when oral issues may begin to arise. Treatment and recovery become ten times easier and faster if detected early on.

What Happens During A Child’s First Orthodontist Appointment?

At Frederick braces, we begin our first appointment by thoroughly examining your child’s mouth, including teeth, gums, and jaw. Our experts with years of training conduct x-rays to study the positioning and alignment of your little one’s teeth in depth. If any abnormality is detected, they’ll ask your child to bite down on molding material. Our orthodontists will describe which treatment option will work best to restore your child’s smile by studying this mold.

If you are searching for a reliable and reputable orthodontist to examine your child’s dental health, contact us at Frederick Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics.