Your child’s oral health is a key aspect of their overall well-being. Regular visits to the dentist are usually included in the plans, while orthodontics are seen as special cases. You might wonder, “Does my child need to see an orthodontist?”

No need to worry, though. At Booth Orthodontics, we know you want to ensure your kid grows healthy and without problems. Whether you’re new to parenting or gearing up your third for their first visit, here’s everything you need to know about kids seeing an orthodontist.

Consider Starting Them Young

According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), children should see an orthodontist by age seven. At this age, children start exhibiting what is known as mixed dentition, which refers to a dental profile consisting of both baby and permanent teeth.

Of course, if you notice something’s off with your kid’s teeth, you don’t have to wait until seven. With a recommendation from your pediatric dentist, you can have an orthodontist look at your child.

From the parents’ perspective, here’s why you should consider setting up an appointment with Booth Orthodontics for your child:

• Boost Confidence: The early stages of childhood are important because they shape your child’s social skills. Having a good smile gives them the confidence to interact with others freely.
• Identify Dental Problems Early: Certain dental concerns, such as crowded teeth or misaligned bites, could lead to more serious problems if left unattended, such as impacted teeth or even tooth decay. For the parents, this also translates into potential savings from corrective procedures they’ll have to take once they get older.
• Prevent Speech Defects: Oral health problems such as misalignment in the teeth and jaws can negatively affect your kid’s speech development—from mumbling to having difficulty creating certain sounds.

Essentially, investing in your child’s oral health will save you a lot down the road. Having properly aligned teeth ensures that they avoid dental problems later on.

Signs Your Child Might Need an Orthodontic Assessment

As mentioned, one exception to the seven-year-old recommendation from the AAO is when you notice something wrong with your child’s teeth. Check out the following signs and see if you need an appointment with Dr. Booth anytime soon.

1. Misaligned or Crowded Teeth

If your kid’s teeth are misaligned or crowded, it’s safe to assume their adult teeth will follow the same trend without orthodontic intervention. Both crowding and misalignment of teeth fall under malocclusion, which refers to imperfect positioning of teeth. It can be caused by various factors, varying from hereditary factors to bottle-feeding habits.

From your end, you can easily find teeth that are unevenly spaced, overlapping, too close together, or simply crooked. You can set an appointment with our team to prevent further problems as your little ones grow up.

2. Difficulty Chewing or Biting

Children start growing new teeth between the ages of five and six, which can cause discomfort—and it’s normal. However, if they continue experiencing discomfort and pain while they eat, bite, or brush their teeth, there might be more to it.

Aside from malocclusion that you can visually spot, there can also be alignment or crowding problems happening within. More importantly, it can signal issues beyond your kid’s teeth, such as jaw alignment issues. Conversely, if some teeth appear to wear down faster than others, then those locations might be prone to excess strain caused by improper bite.

3. Development of Certain Oral Habits

Another reason to book an appointment with us is if you observe your little ones developing unusual habits relating to their mouth and teeth. Among the most common childhood habits that can harm dental development are thumb sucking and tongue thrusting. Kids can unconsciously push their teeth out of alignment, whether through the finger or the tongue.

Also, watch out for signs of regular mouth breathing. If they regularly breathe this way, instead of through the nose, then it could also indicate issues with their teeth or jaw alignment.

What to Expect During Your First Orthodontic Visit

For first-time parents, not knowing what to expect can be nerve-wracking, but not with Booth Orthodontics. We believe in making smiles accessible to everyone. With an experienced orthodontist and a supportive team, we’ll make every step of the process as smooth as possible.

It all starts with a free initial consultation at our Homer Glen office. Dr. Booth will review your kid’s medical and dental records and will review them with you, taking note of your concerns and observations. If you have questions, we’ll happily answer them. Dr. Booth will examine your child for signs of crowding, misalignment, and any other potential orthodontic problems.

Depending on the outcome, we might prescribe additional processes—x-rays, photographs, or digital mockups—before moving to any treatment your child might need. Of course, we’ll ensure that you fully understand the evaluation results, and will proceed only after you’ve agreed to our recommendations.

Secure Your Child’s Better Smile

Getting your child to see an orthodontist at an early age offers various benefits. All you need is a bit of vigilance and a reliable orthodontic clinic to make sure everything stays in order.

With Booth Orthodontics, we offer just that: reliable orthodontic services for your child, backed by over 30 years of experience. If you’re ready to give your child a healthier smile, book your free consultation, and let’s get them started toward a more aligned smile today!.