According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should go for their first orthodontic screening by the age of 7, because that is the age at which most children’s adult teeth have finally come in. This gives the orthodontist a chance to check the condition of the child’s teeth early. If teeth are growing in crookedly, they will not eventually align on their own as the child grows.
A child does not need to be referred for orthodontic treatment by a pediatric dentist in Destin FL. Some patients are referred through their dentist while others call the orthodontist’s office themselves to schedule an appointment for a consultation. During the initial appointment, the doctor will take pictures and x-rays of the child’s teeth. The orthodontist will diagnose the problem and tell the parents and child what treatment plan he recommends. The time to correct the problem varies by patient, but if the child needs braces, it can take anywhere from a year to 30 months to complete the treatment.
If the parents need financing, the Stubbs Orthodontics office will go over the different financing options they offer during that first meeting. The child will need to come back in for check-ups and possible adjustments every 5 to 10 weeks. The orthodontist is unable to schedule all children’s appointments after school, so kids will need to be taken out of school to come to their appointment, and then return to their school day.
While a child is under treatment with an orthodontist, the child will still need to continue going to regular check-ups with their Pediatric dentist Destin FL so the dentist can continue to check on their gums and teeth and screen them for cavities. It’s a bit more challenging to brush and floss effectively with braces, so it’s extra important for the child to keep up with regular visits to the dentist. The orthodontist’s staff can show the child how to floss around the braces. Patients should brush their teeth after each meal and again before bedtime. There are also some foods that kids shouldn’t chew on while wearing braces, like chewing on ice, raw vegetables, hard candy, and sticky treats like caramel.
