The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child should see an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7. If you have a child around this age, it’s time to make their first orthodontic appointment! MOST 7-8-year-olds do NOT need any orthodontic intervention. However, if any growth-related abnormalities or tooth development issues are present and addressed early on, many complicated procedures and permanent teeth extractions can be avoided later on.

Orthodontic consultations are complimentary in many orthodontic offices, and it certainly is free in your favorite Wichita Orthodontist’s office at Smiles Orthodontics :). The back-to-school season comes with a heavy to-do list, and it’s smart to make a routine appointment at the beginning of the school year before things get busy in the fall. If you have a child entering grade 2 or 3 this year, plan on adding “visit an orthodontist” to your to-do list?

Why Is It Important For Your Child To See An Orthodontist? 

When your child reaches the age of 7, they usually have a good mix of baby and permanent teeth. At this stage, we can tell a lot about your child’s oral development. By consulting an orthodontist, we can help prevent issues with your child’s bite. If any problems arise, we can intercept with orthodontic treatment before a bad bite develops and treatment becomes more extensive, can take longer and may require extractions and or surgery.

Benefits Of Early Orthodontic Treatment 

Early orthodontic treatment, also known as interceptive treatment, is when orthodontic treatment is performed while baby teeth are still present. Many benefits go hand-in-hand with starting orthodontic treatment earlier in life, including:

  • Healthy alignment for permanent teeth.
  • Overbites, crossbites, and underbites can be corrected before they worsen.
  • Bad habits such as tongue thrusting and thumb-sucking can be broken.
  • Jaw development is influenced to accommodate new permanent teeth.
  • The risk of tooth decay and gum disease is reduced.
  • Confidence is improved with an aesthetically pleasing smile.

Make Your Child’s free Orthodontic Appointment In Wichita at Smiles Orthodontics! 

You can book your child’s orthodontic consultation by filling out our online contact form or by giving us a call at (316) 684-5184. Our orthodontic team will be happy to tell you more about our services like ceramic braces or Invisalign. We can’t wait to help your little one with their big smile this back-to-school season!