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The
Right Time For An
Orthodontic Check-Up:
No Later Than Age 7. |
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Even
though most people think of pre-teens and teens when they think
of orthodontics, there are good reasons your child should get
an orthodontic evaluation much sooner. The American Association
of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic check-up no later
than age 7. |
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Why
Your Child Should Get An
Orthodontic Check-up No Later Than Age 7: |
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1.
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Orthodontists
can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth
while some baby teeth are still present. |
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2.
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While
your child's teeth may appear to be straight, there could be
a problem that only an orthodontist can detect. |
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3.
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The
check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine. Often, the
orthodontist will identify a potential problem but recommend
monitoring the child's growth and development, and then, if
indicated, begin treatment at the right time for the child.
In other cases, the orthodontist might find a problem that can
benefit from early treatment. |
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4.
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Early
treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing
and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. |
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5.
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In
some cases, the orthodontist will be able to achieve results
that wouldn't be possible once the face and jaws have finished
growing. |
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6.
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Early
treatment may give your orthodontist the chance to:
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•
guide jaw growth
• lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
• correct harmful oral habits
• improve appearance
• guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
• improve the way lips meet |
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7.
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Through
early orthodontic screening, you'll be giving your child the
best opportunity for a healthy, beautiful smile that's good
for life. |
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Seven
warning signs in 7-year-olds
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An
orthodontist answers the following questions when making a first
evaluation. These answers are based on visual observation of
the mouth and teeth. When you know what to look for, you can
answer these questions, too. |
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Do
the upper teeth protrude?
Excessive protrusion of the upper front teeth - "buck teeth"
- is by far the most common orthodontic problem. You can test
this by using the attached Bite Down Early ruler.
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Is
there a deep bite?
The upper front teeth cover the lower front teeth too much. |
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Is
there an underbite?
The upper teeth fit inside the arch of the lower teeth.
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Is
there an open bite?
The child can stick his or her tongue between the upper and
lower front teeth when the back teeth are together.
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Is
there too little or too much room for the teeth? |
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| Crowded
or overlapped teeth... |
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noticeably large gaps between teeth. |
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Do
the front teeth line up?
The spaces between the two upper front teeth and the two lower
front teeth should line up with each other and both should line
up with the bridge of the nose. When they do not, the probable
cause is drifted teeth or a shifted lower jaw, resulting in
an improper bite.
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Is
there a crossbite?
The upper back teeth fit inside, rather than outside of the
lowers
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Seek
treatment earlier than age seven if your child has:
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•
difficulty chewing.
• open-mouth breathing.
• thumb or finger sucking.
• overlapping or crowding of erupting permanent teeth.
• jaws that click or pop.
• biting of the cheek or into the roof of the mouth.
• speech problems.
• grinding or wearing down of teeth.
• obvious abnormal bite development of any kind. |
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This
health article is made available by
Dr. Michael L Stepovich DDS a Orthodontist. Orthodontic office
at 4110 Moorpark Ave, San Jose, CA 95117. Dr. Stepovich is
easy reachable from
all of San Jose, Santa Clara, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, Cupertino, Campbell, Milpitas, and Mountain View.
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[
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State
of The Art Orthodontic Care One Patient At a Time
"Excellent
Orthodontic Treatment Maintained For A Lifetime
For Patients That Refer Other Patients To Our Office." |
]
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