How Young Is Too Young for Orthodontic Treatment?

Step into a middle school and you’ll likely see plenty of smiles accented by braces. But parents who put off a trip to the orthodontist unt...

Step into a middle school and you’ll likely see plenty of smiles accented by braces.

But parents who put off a trip to the orthodontist until their child is on the cusp of the teen years could be waiting for too long.

Plenty of problems can start developing – long before a child’s permanent teeth have all arrived.

The question then becomes when – and how – to intervene. And the answer won’t necessarily be the same from every orthodontist or dentist you consult. This is a confusing topic. Depending on whom you ask, you will get a variety of answers about what treatment is necessary and when, and how exactly it should proceed.

► Read Also : DENTAL TRAUMA : A story of dental injury and orthodontics


And getting more opinions doesn’t always help because you may end up with several different – and conflicting – opinions.

I suggest having a child examined by an orthodontist by age 7, which is also the recommendation of the American Association of Orthodontists.

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thirdage.com
by DR. JAMIE REYNOLDS