Early access to dental care can greatly benefit your child’s oral health. Families often wonder when the best time is to take a child for their Orthodontist Marietta specialist’s initial examination. Children should be seen for their first orthodontic consult at around the age of 7 years, as recommended by dental professionals. By this age, the growth of the jaw proceeds, and the eruption of permanent teeth can be perfectly evaluated. Taking your child to see the team at Scott Eckels Orthodontics early on helps make sure they can enjoy a healthy, happy smile for a lifetime.
Crowded/Overlapping Teeth One of the most widely known signals that it’s time for your child to see an orthodontist in Marietta is crowded or overlapping teeth. Crowding may not become evident until permanent teeth start to emerge and there is insufficient room in the jaw. If teeth look crooked or crowded, or there is insufficient space to clean them, then sometimes orthodontics will be required. Early intervention may make space for and direct teeth toward their proper position. At Scott Eckels Orthodontics, we can check and see whether or not you may need to take some form of immediate action, or if simply monitoring your teeth will suffice.
Their bite is also a great indicator that they need to go in for an orthodontic evaluation. Overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites can also compromise chewing functions, speech, and facial aesthetics. Orthodontist Marietta the age of seven, if your child’s upper and lower teeth don’t fit together properly when biting down, then you should make an appointment to see a professional orthodontist in Marietta. Unaddressed bite misalignment can also cause jaw pain and more uneven wear on the teeth. Early sensing provides corrective action that is easier and more efficient.
Note: Learn about thumb sucking or persistent use of pacifiers beyond toddler years. These habits can lead to an underdeveloped jaw and misalignment down the line. If your child has trouble biting or chewing or often bites the inside of their cheek, then they may have orthodontic issues. Mouth-breathing and talking difficulties may also be related to jaw position issues. An expert orthodontist in Marietta can assess how these habits might be influencing your child’s dental development.
Another early warning can be premature or late baby-tooth loss. Such early or late loss of milk teeth may disturb the correct eruption of permanent teeth. This can lead to spacing difficulties and impaction down the line. Parents tend to not consider such timing, but they play a huge role in alignment. To address any out-of-the-ordinary issues, schedule a consultation with Scott Eckels Orthodontics at once.
Shifting of the jaw, clicking sounds, or obvious facial asymmetry are more red flags. Another common red flag is clicking or other noise when your child opens or closes his jaw, which could be a sign of an alignment issue. Problems with closing the lips and a protruding tooth are also indications for an orthodontist in Marietta. The young children’s years while they are still growing are the best time to influence jaw growth. To tackle these problems at a young age can stop them from becoming more serious issues for teenagers.
In addition to physical symptoms, there may also be psychological variables. Does your child hate their smile or shy away from grinning for pictures? It might be time to consider orthodontic treatment that can promote both a healthy mouth and self-esteem. The smile looks great, and yet it gives our patients the advantage of long-term oral health as well as function. By visiting an experienced orthodontist in Marietta, your child will get the personalized care they need when they need it. Experienced practitioners at Scott Eckels Orthodontics specialize in building healthy, confident smiles—and they can make the process comfortable and enjoyable for you!
Finally, being able to spot warning signs at an early age, such as crowding, biting problems, jaw irregularities, and abnormal dentition development, can help you make the decision on when orthodontic treatment is necessary. Early screening from a professional orthodontist Marietta specialist can stop more severe issues later on. Early intervention helps maintain normal jaw development, improve function of the mouth and speech, and lead to higher self-esteem later in life. If you see any of these symptoms or signs, book an appointment with Scott Eckels Orthodontics to help your child thrive within a healthy and beautiful smile.