As a parent, you want to provide your child with every opportunity to grow up healthy and confident—starting with their smile. While braces are often associated with teenagers, the foundation for a straight, functional smile is actually established much earlier. At Tebo Orthodontics, we highly recommend scheduling an orthodontic screening for your child by the age of 7.
Early evaluations can identify potential issues before they develop into more complex problems, helping save time, money, and stress in the future. In this article, we will discuss why early screenings are important, what to expect during the process, and how they can set your child up for lasting oral health success.
Why Age 7?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends children have their first orthodontic screening at age 7. This does not mean getting braces at age 7, but rather taking a proactive step in identifying potential issues early on.
At this stage:
- Most children have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth, allowing the orthodontist to evaluate how the permanent teeth are coming in.
- The jaw and facial bones are still developing, which means any necessary treatment can help guide growth in the right direction.
What Can Early Orthodontic Screenings Detect?
An orthodontic evaluation helps identify issues with the alignment of teeth, bite, and jaw development. Common problems that can be detected early include:
- Crowding: Not enough space for teeth to erupt properly.
- Crossbite: When upper and lower jaws do not align properly.
- Overbite or Underbite: Excessive overlap or protrusion of teeth.
- Open bite: When front teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed.
- Early or late loss of baby teeth.
- Thumb sucking or other oral habits that could affect alignment.
Identifying these issues early allows orthodontists to recommend treatment only when necessary—and often in a more conservative and effective manner.
Benefits of Early Orthodontic Screening
1. Guide Jaw Growth and Facial Development
Early treatment can guide jaw development, which helps prevent more serious problems like severe overbites or facial asymmetry.
2. Reduce the Need for Future Extractions
By creating space and properly guiding teeth into position early, your child may be able to avoid the need for extractions in the future.
3. Tackle Harmful Oral Habits
Habits like prolonged thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing can affect dental development. Early screenings help us identify and address these behaviors before they lead to long-term problems.
4. Enhance Appearance and Boost Self-Esteem
Children who face issues with crooked teeth or jaw alignment early on may feel self-conscious. Early treatment can improve their smile and significantly boost their confidence.
5. Simplify Future Treatment
Interceptive treatment can make future orthodontic care easier and faster by reducing the complexity of tooth movement during the teenage years.
What Happens During a Screening at Tebo Orthodontics?
An early orthodontic screening at Tebo Orthodontics is fast, comfortable, and informative. Here is what you can typically expect:
- A detailed visual exam of your child’s teeth and bite.
- X-rays or digital scans to evaluate tooth and jaw development.
- A discussion of any current habits, family history, or dental concerns.
- A personalized treatment plan if intervention is recommended, or a plan to monitor growth as your child continues to develop.
In many cases, we recommend annual check-ups to monitor progress until the optimal time for treatment arrives.
Does My Child Need Braces Right Away?
Not necessarily! In fact, most children do not require orthodontic treatment at age 7. However, early screening allows our team to plan ahead and intervene at the right time, if necessary. This approach, known as interceptive orthodontics, focuses on addressing minor issues before they turn into major problems.
Set Your Child Up for a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles
Your child’s smile is essential to their health and self-confidence. Early orthodontic screening is a simple step that can have a lasting impact. At Tebo Orthodontics, we are here to guide you through your child’s dental development with care, clarity, and confidence.
Ready to schedule your child’s first orthodontic screening?
Contact Tebo Orthodontics today—we are here to support your family every step of the way.
