WORDS: Dr Daniel De Angelis
Time seems to go in the blink of an eye from those newborn sleep deprived days to having the tooth fairy visiting your little one (then having to remember what the current going rate is for the tooth fairy!)
When adult teeth start to appear and your baby seems like a baby no more, you might be wondering – when is the best time to see an orthodontist?
Seeing a Specialist Orthodontist at the age of around 7 years is the ideal time to have your child’s teeth and jaw checked. This is the recommendation outlined by the Australian Society of Orthodontists.
WHY IS IT BEST TO SEE YOU EARLIER RATHER THAN LATER?
Early treatment may not be needed at all but if it is, having an orthodontic assessment around the age of 7 years lays the foundation for a healthy and well functioning mouth in adulthood. Essentially, at that age they are developmentally (mostly) easier to treat.
WHAT IF THEY DON’T HAVE ALL THEIR ADULT TEETH YET?
They may not have all their adult teeth yet but at this age correcting a problem before it fully eventuates can often be less complex and invasive than having to treat the problem later on.
SHOULD I JUST WAIT UNTIL THEY’RE A TEENAGER?
You could wait until they’re a teenager as well but there is no harm in having an assessment earlier to know what you’re dealing with. I regularly see children aged 7/8 years for an orthodontic assessment that don’t need treatment or need to be seen until all their adult teeth have erupted. This can be reassuring for the parent to know.
TOP TIPS
- An orthodontic assessment isn’t invasive and there are no needles!
- See your dentist for regular check ups as they can also give advice on how your child’s teeth are progressing
- You don’t need a referral to see us
- Brushing and flossing twice a day (or three if you have braces!) keeps your teeth and gums healthy and strong
P.S – A gold coin should usually do it for the tooth fairy!
TOC is located across Adelaide at St Peters, West Lakes and Modbury
133 TOC (133 862)
transformorthocare.com.au
@transformorthodonticcare
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