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When to Take Your Child to an Orthodontist

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At Beach Braces, we understand that parents have many timelines to juggle when it comes to their child. From field trip forms, to hockey practice, extracurricular activities, play-dates, dental check-ups, camps and so much more! As a parent, you may be curious about an upcoming timeline: when to bring your child to an orthodontist?

Is your child ready for braces? Are they too young? The answer to these common questions is that it depends on the individual patient. Each child grows and develops at a different rate. However, on average, most children can be evaluated once their first permanent molars have erupted. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child should see an orthodontist no later than age 7. That is because some orthodontic problems can be easier to correct if diagnosed earlier rather than later.

There are some signs that may make you think that an orthodontic visit is due. Check for any of the following as your child develops their permanent teeth:

  • Thumb sucking or tongue thrusting habits
  • Early loss of baby teeth
  • Too much or too little space between the teeth
  • New teeth growing in “out of place”
  • Underbite (lower teeth fitting in front of the top teeth)
  • Lateral crossbite (Lower side teeth biting on the outside of the upper side teeth)
  • Significant delay in a new tooth growing in (i.e. compared to the same tooth on the other side)
  • Difficulty in chewing
  • Abnormal wear of tooth surfaces
  • Receding gum tissue

If you notice any of these signs, or if you are just curious – you can book a consultation with us at Beach Braces in Scarborough. We will take the time to personally assess if your child is a candidate for orthodontic treatment, or if they require any other intervention to improve the chances of developing a good, healthy bite. It never hurts to check! We look forward to helping your child achieve a healthy and confident smile.

– The Beach Braces Team