Recommended Age to Start Seeing an Orthodontist

Going to the dentist can be overwhelming for children of all ages. However, to ensure the longevity & health of your child’s teeth  it is  important to  plan and know when the right time for an appointment is. While there is no exact date or age for children to visit the orthodontist, Dr. Perryman & many other orthodontists recommend around the age of 6 or 7.

Why is This Period Important?

During this period, the first adult molars can  begin to erupt, developing the child’s bite shape and formation. At this time, parents should be keeping note of any issues, difficulties, or unhealthy habits the child may be forming with their teeth. Early detection of any of the below signs, should indicate that it is time to see an orthodontist.

Some of the major signs a child should meet with Dr. Perryman include:

• Difficulty Chewing
• Facial & Jaw Imbalance
• Grinding of Teeth
• Early or Late Loss of Teeth
• Struggling Teeth Formation
• Pain During Eating or Brushing

How Can Children's Braces Help?

Children's braces are the common solution to addressing misalignments early on, which helps to prevent future dental problems, including gum disease, tooth decay, and more. Braces also help to improve your child's quality of life by improving their ability to chew and talk, which provides the additional benefit of boosting their self-esteem. Braces can correct underbites, overbites, and overcrowding, and is overall a valuable investment for your child's oral health.

During your first exam, it is  vital to identify and predict  the developing issues within your child’s mouth. This first phase covers the overall growth of the jaw bones, bite correction and teeth structure. The second phase will include a form of treatment, either with a jaw alignment or children’s braces. If your child requires braces, no need to worry! At Perryman Orthodontics, we have all the necessary equipment, training, and materials to correct their teeth alignment. While  these treatments may not seem ideal in the short-term, they will provide your child with a beautiful set of  permanent teeth.

Not only is getting your child to see an orthodontist important for their health,  it is  also less invasive and cost-effective as future problems are less likely to occur. For more information about our children’s braces, please feel free to give us a call.

To learn more about the two phase pediatric orthodontics at Perryman Orthodontics or to schedule a first  appointment with Dr. Perryman, we ask that you contact us today! We’re  proud to assist children and families with pediatric and adult orthodontics, including Invisalign clear braces, throughout San Antonio, Helotes & Leon Valley, TX.