When Should My Child Be Screened? - Elko Dental Specialists » Elko Dental Specialists

When Should My Child Be Screened?

By admin July 5th

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that parents schedule their child’s first examination no later than age 7, to screen for early orthodontic growth or development issues. At or around this age, most children have developed their first permanent incisors and back molars, which will allow Dr. Gardner to examine the front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships. Then, x-rays and diagnostic photographs of your child’s mouth will be taken, in order to create a personalized plan for treatment.

For some treatment, early intervention isn’t necessary. Other children may require orthodontic appliances, to prepare their jaw, teeth, and mouth for upcoming treatment. There are physical and behavioral indicators that your child may require early intervention including:

Early or late loss of teeth
Difficulty chewing or eating
An unbalanced facial appearance, such as a misaligned jaw
Crowded, misplaced, or hidden teeth
Persistent breathing through the mouth
Thumb or finger sucking late in childhood
Getting an orthodontic screening can drastically improve the quality of your child’s life if they do require early intervention. If not, it still provides you with the peace of mind and knowledge you need moving forward.

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