When to Start with Your Child’s Orthodontic Needs?

Every parent wants their child to grow up with a beautifully straight and attractive smile, but where do you start? If your child is a patient here at Coastal Smiles, you can rest assured we will keep a close eye on their dental development and if we think they might benefit from orthodontic treatment, we will suggest an orthodontic evaluation.

An evaluation might take place as early as age 6 or 7 because at this stage it is possible to predict how your child’s teeth and jaws will grow and develop. One advantage of seeing an orthodontist so young is that sometimes early treatment can be helpful. Your child could benefit from early orthodontics if their tooth and jaw development has been affected by oral habits like thumb sucking or mouth breathing.

Not every child will need early orthodontics, but an evaluation will help to determine the best treatment plan and if required, the most beneficial age to begin wearing braces.