A question that our office often gets is, at what age should a child first get an orthodontic evaluation? To answer, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that your child get a check-up with an orthodontist no later than age 7, or at the first recognition of the existence of an orthodontic problem. It is important to detect any orthodontic problems early, in order to take early corrective action and avoid more difficult treatment later.
By age 7, your child has enough permanent teeth for us to determine whether an orthodontic problem is developing or already exists. Like most problems in life, orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if they’re found early. Early detection of orthodontic problems does not necessarily require treatment, but if early treatment is needed, our team may be able to achieve results that may not be as easy once your child’s face and jaws have finished growing.
If early treatment is recommended, the benefits could be:
- Guided jaw growth
- Lowered risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Harmful oral habits corrected
- Improved appearance and self-esteem
- Permanent teeth guided into a more favorable position
- Improved aligning of the top and bottom lips
Our team would love to see your child before they start school this year. Caudill Orthodontics has two convenient locations serving Brevard County, Florida – Melbourne and Merritt Island. Please feel free to give us a call with any questions about pediatric or adult orthodontic concerns.
