When it comes to early orthodontic treatment, Florida parents have a lot of options!
The time to see an orthodontist will be here before you know it. It’s crucial to make sure you know when to start braces and where to find an orthodontist for 7-year-old kids. Luckily, it’s not very hard to get the facts!
Let’s take a closer look at the most important things to know:
Q: “When is the best time for a child’s first orthodontic appointment?”
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, it’s a good idea to set a child’s first appointment with the orthodontist around seven years of age. At age seven, children have started to lose some “baby teeth,” but most permanent teeth have yet to come in.
At this stage of life, there’s enough development so a highly trained family orthodontist can determine whether there will be enough room in the jaw for all the permanent teeth. If not, early orthodontic treatment is ideal for the detection and treatment of issues.
Q: “What happens if there’s not enough room in the jaw for all adult teeth?”
Sometimes, there’s just not enough space for all the teeth. This can lead to a painful failure of teeth to erupt from the gums. A so-called “impacted tooth” may erupt at an unhealthy angle or fail to appear. This can be painful and usually requires oral surgery.
Q: “How does early orthodontic treatment prevent impacted teeth?”
If your child is susceptible to impacted teeth, Dr. Beauchamp can help!
As a board-certified Florida orthodontist, Dr. Beauchamp has the expertise to help kids, teens, and adults get healthier smiles. Our early orthodontic care takes the form of something we call two-phase treatment. As the name suggests, this is orthodontic care with two distinct approaches over time.
The first approach, when the child is young, uses something called an expander. An expander is an orthodontic appliance that gently and safely expands the soft palate of the mouth. This helps ensure there will be enough space for all the teeth to arrive just the way they should!
Q: “What is the second part of two-phase orthodontic treatment?”
In cases where an expander is needed, some children might also need braces.
Braces are used to place gentle pressure on the teeth and move them to a healthy “treated position.” This helps to eliminate gaps and misalignment in the teeth. When children get an early start on their treatment, it usually means they will complete treatment a lot sooner than an adult would.
Metal braces are the most common second step in treatment, but they’re not the only option. Dr. Beauchamp is proud to offer a wide variety of options. For example, patients can choose clear braces if they want to be just a bit more discreet. There are also removable aligners such as Invisalign®.
Teens and even some responsible younger kids can qualify!
That said, braces are the best choice for the most severe tooth gaps. Dr. Beauchamp starts out a treatment plan with a comprehensive orthodontic examination. You will know exactly what options you have, and adults can make the best and most informed decisions for the kids they love.
Find out more here: Is It Time to Consider Braces for My Child?
Q: “Are there other signs that my child should visit the orthodontist?”
Yes! Although age seven is a good guideline, there are some situations where a child might benefit from an earlier visit. There are two important signs that tell you it may be a good idea to bump that orthodontist appointment up:
- Your child has trouble chewing or eating: Difficulty chewing can point to misalignment of the “baby teeth,” which may suggest future issues with the permanent teeth. If chewing is painful beyond the age of teething, there’s a problem! Tooth gaps can also contribute to difficulty pronouncing some words.
- Your child lost at least one baby tooth early:Although it’s normal and natural to lose baby teeth, they should all come out on their own time. Rarely does more than one come out in the same week. If an accident, such as a fall, caused a tooth to come out early, it’s a good idea to check with an orthodontist.
You can learn more about this by reading Does My Child Need to Visit the Orthodontist Yet?
Get Started with Two-Phase Orthodontics at Beauchamp Orthodontics
Dr. Beauchamp is the kids’ orthodontist Port Orange families trust!
Whether you’re in Port Orange, Ormond Beach, or anywhere in Volusia County, Dr. Beauchamp is looking forward to becoming your family orthodontist. Book your consultation today to get started.
