What’s the Best Age to Visit an Orthodontist?

Helping your child maintain a healthy, beautiful smile is one of the most important steps you can take as a parent. After all, good oral health is essential to helping them feel their best. For many children, undergoing orthodontic care is a necessary part of achieving their best smile. While many kids who need braces won’t wear them until their teenage years, it’s a good idea to schedule their initial consultation much earlier. If you’re wondering about the best age to visit an orthodontist, you’re not alone. Here’s what you need to know before scheduling your child’s appointment at Senan Orthodontic Studios.

What Does an Orthodontist Do?

Orthodontists specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing abnormalities of the teeth and jaw. When your jaws aren’t properly aligned, you may be more likely to experience difficulty chewing, trouble speaking, or discomfort. Likewise, overcrowding can make it harder to clean well between your teeth, which could lead to dental concerns, such as tooth decay and gum disease. For these reasons, undergoing orthodontic treatment can be beneficial. It’s never too late to seek help from an orthodontist; seeking orthodontic care early can often make treatment faster and smoother.

What Are the Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment?

There’s no right age to undergo orthodontic treatment. Braces can provide oral health and cosmetic benefits to adolescents and adults alike. While this is true, seeking orthodontic intervention early can provide many advantages. Some of these include:

• Correcting bite and alignment issues
• Preventing tooth decay and gum disease
• Improving speech and chewing abilities
• Boosting self-esteem and confidence

What Age Should Children Have Their First Orthodontic Appointment?

If you think you should wait until your child’s permanent teeth have fully come in to seek orthodontic treatment, think again. The ideal age to bring your child in for their initial orthodontic consultation is seven years old. While this may seem early, it can be advantageous for various reasons. At this age, most children have lost several teeth and are beginning to have permanent teeth emerge. This gives the orthodontist an idea of what alignment issues they’re likely to experience as their mouth evolves. It also allows ample time to intervene early if necessary, which could make their treatment time shorter or easier to resolve. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Orthodontist

When the time comes to choose an orthodontist for your child, it’s well worth the time and effort to find the right one. Here are some factors to keep in mind to ensure they receive the best care possible:

• Qualifications and experience: 
• Where did they get their degree? 
• Have they undergone additional training? 
• How long have they been practicing orthodontics?
• Cost and insurance coverage: 
• Does their office accept your dental insurance plan? If not, can you afford the cost of their care?
• Location and convenience: 
• Is their office conveniently located? 
• Does their office have an inviting, comfortable atmosphere?
• Reviews: 
• Are other patients writing positive reviews about them online?
• Are there pictures of orthodontic problems they’ve resolved?

Schedule Your Consultation at Senan Orthodontic Studios

Whether you have a teenager who is unhappy with their smile, a young child who is getting permanent teeth, or a kiddo somewhere in between, the friendly team at Senan Orthodontic Studios is eager to help make their orthodontic journey a great one. Contact us today to schedule their initial consultation with Dr. Senan and learn more about how undergoing orthodontic care can improve your child’s oral health, self-esteem, and overall quality of life!