Parents want two things for their kids: 1) for them to be confident, and 2) for them to feel no pain. And over the last few decades, orthodontists have found a way to do that by beginning orthodontic treatment at age seven.
“The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7. Orthodontists can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.”
https://www.aaoinfo.org/system/files/media/documents/Right_Time_for_Ortho-MLMS-hl.pdf
If parents bring their child in at age seven, there is no guarantee that the child will be ready for orthodontics at that time. However, an orthodontist can identify issues that will later cause more pain and more problems for your child. The orthodontist can do “early interceptive orthodontics” for a child. And because the child’s mouth is not fully formed, can correct problems relatively easier than if the child didn’t start treatment until age 12.
Common things that happen for children between the ages of 7 and 10:
- Space maintainers: the orthodontist ensures spaces between the child’s teeth don’t close due to the loss of baby teeth.
- Palate expanders: your child may not have a palate wide enough to handle the size of their tongue. The expander will help to widen the arches of their teeth, creating space for their tongue, as well as for adult teeth to come in
- Head gear: While not common, head gear can be used to correct lower or upper jaws that are protruding too far out. These conditions can and will affect their breathing
There is no guarantee your child is ready for braces at age seven. But, don’t leave their fate up to chance. Bring them for an early orthodontic evaluation at age seven and you can be sure your child will have a beautiful smile in the least invasive (and expensive) way as possible.