When you think about children’s orthodontics, your mind might immediately go to braces. However, that’s not necessarily the case. Early orthodontics is about seeing your child up for a lifetime of good oral health, which can be accomplished by achieving proper alignment and symmetry of their smile, jaw, and face. At Fryar Orthodontics, we’re happy to work with patients to not only achieve their best smile through orthodontic treatment but also help guide the growth and development of their jaw and teeth.
When Is the Right Age to Consider a Visit for Children’s Orthodontics?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that you bring your child in for their initial orthodontic evaluation by age seven, which is when their adult teeth are erupting. When you adhere to this recommendation and bring your child to Fryar Orthodontics for an appointment, it can help us employ early interceptive orthodontic treatment. What this means is that because the permanent teeth haven’t fully come in, we’re able to evaluate and address any potential problems in an early stage rather than after the fact.
Our experienced professionals can evaluate your child’s teeth and identify any issues like overbite, open bite, crowding, or gummy smiles. With this evaluation, we’ll be able to tell you whether your child will benefit from early orthodontic treatment.
When You Should Schedule a Children’s Orthodontic Assessment for Your Child
In some cases, early treatment isn’t necessary. But if you notice any of the following conditions with your child’s teeth, you’d be wise to schedule a screening with the orthodontist:
- Crowded or misplaced teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting food
- Early loss of baby teeth
- Mouth breathing
- Finger or thumb sucking
- Jaws that pop when opening and closing
- Misaligned teeth that close abnormally or without touching
- Jaws and teeth that are not in proportion to the rest of the face
Learn More About Children’s Orthodontics
If you think your child could benefit from an appointment with Dr. Fryar or you simply want to learn more about children’s orthodontics and the benefits of early treatment, call 219-203-3383 or reach out to Fryar Orthodontics by clicking here.
