Just For Kids Dental Blog

There seems to be a lot of uncertainty from parents about when their child(ren) should start orthodontic (braces) treatment. The American Academy of Orthodontics states that all children should be evaluated by the age of seven. If your child currently sees a pediatric dentist, they should be able to direct you when the proper time comes for an evaluation. Your pediatric dentist is trained to recognize the early signs of orthodontic problems and to determine which problems need immediate attention. If your child does see a family dentist or a general dentist, then you should make an appointment with an orthodontist at the age of seven for an evaluation. Most orthodontists do not charge a fee for your child’s first visit.

Within my practice, I get a lot of parents who seem to think it is “ridiculous” for young children to get braces so early. Whlie I do agree that not all children need braces at the age of seven, I feel that it is a statement that is over-simplifying the issue. There are many, many conditions that occur within children’s mouths that cause a variety of problems. Cross-bites, malalignment of the jaws, narrow palates, cleft palates and lips, missing teeth, severe crowding, over-bites, and under-bites are just a few of the issues we as pediatric dentists see everyday, all of which can develop before a child reaches the age of seven. Some children are even born with these conditions! These problems are best treated early and can mean the difference between having a beautiful smile as a teenager or needing painful reconstructive surgeries as a young adult. Therefore if your child is fortunate enough to not develop a problem that needs early correction, consider yourself blessed. But when you see a young child who is in active treatment, just remember there is a reason for it and that the parents of those kids just want to do what is best for their child. Not everything is as “black and white” as it may seem.

In closing, early orthodontic treatment is a great option to consider for young children that have unique dental conditions. It’s never too early to get off to a good start when caring for your child’s oral development. Not only does it help improve smiles, but the benefits far exceed appearance in the long run. If you have any questions regarding early orthodontic treatment, please contact us at 972-540-5858.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend establishing a “dental home” for your child by one year of age. As long as your child has a tooth present, they are at risk of developing cavities and should receive professional dental care. It is important to begin brushing your child’s teeth and gums as soon as you see a tooth erupting and plan to find a pediatric dentist for your child.

Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care. This visit is usually done with the child in a parent’s lap. The hygienist and the doctor will clean and examine the teeth and demonstrate an easy way to brush and floss at home. Any problems or suggestions will be discussed along with the appropriate solutions to make home care as easy as possible.

Preparing your child for their first visit

You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. If old enough, your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and their staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning the visit, the better.

It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as needle, pull, drill or hurt. At Just For Kids Dental, Dr. Terry Scott and our team make a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child. We find this principle to work very well and do our best to create a positive and friendly environment for our patients.

Are you looking for a dental home for your child? If so, we would love to care for your child’s dental needs! Contact Just For Kids Dental to schedule your child(ren) to come and meet us!

Dr. Terry Scott

Just For Kids Dental Blog

The official blog for Just For Kids, a pediatric dental office serving infants, children and teens in McKinney, TX

Early Orthodontic Treatment: When & Why a Parent Should Consider EOT for Their Child

Establishing Your “Dental Home”-Your Child’s First Dental Visit

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