When it comes to your child’s orthodontic treatment, time is of the essence. The earlier your child gets treatment, the better the results. Generally, experts recommend taking children to a pediatric dentist before they turn seven. This is the perfect time for a Cumming, GA pediatric orthodontist to identify any issue. However, orthodontic treatment can still be sought at age seven and beyond.  As a parent, you must take your child to their dentist and facilitate their orthodontic checkups and treatment.  

Benefits of Orthodontic Care for Kids

When you decide whether or not to take your child to an orthodontic dentist, you must consider some factors. But here are some reasons early orthodontic treatment is important:

• Detect possible dental issues early. At 7 years old, your child’s molar teeth have developed to establish backbite. Such age is the right time for an orthodontist to easily access teeth relationships. This allows them to establish any possible issues with an overbite, backbite, gummy smile, and crowded teeth. 
• Guide jaw growth. Early orthodontic treatment can be essential for guiding jaw growth in some children. This makes sure your child has a proper bite. The dentist can use a special appliance for guiding jaw growth while it’s growing and developing. 
• Help break bad oral health habits. In children, oral habits such as tongue thrusting and thumb sucking can lead to teeth misalignment. This misalignment can lead to changes in your child’s jaw shape. By letting your child see an orthodontist at a young age, their bad oral habits can be corrected early.
• Allow for easier and less costly treatment. By having your child’s orthodontic issue addressed as early as possible, the treatment process is more comfortable and less costly. When not treated immediately, any dental issue can require lengthy, more extensive, and more expensive procedures. 
• Detect non-erupted teeth. An orthodontist will use X-rays to detect any teeth that have not erupted. This lets the dentist address different orthodontic issues. In turn, your child enjoys self-confidence and a healthy smile. 

What Happens During Your Child’s First Orthodontic Appointment

Your child’s first visit to an orthodontist is meant to assess their dental tissue and determine if they need treatment. The pediatric dentist will take X-rays and photographs of your child’s dental formula. Then, they may offer a diagnosis, discuss the issues, and recommend an appropriate solution. If your child needs treatment, the dentist will suggest a treatment plan and offer an estimated cost along with various payment options. Also, the dentist may recommend dental appliances to use, like aligners, braces, or expanders.