The majority of health issues do not go away by themselves. It is uncommon for us to grow into our bodily parts or recover from medical issues. That is not practical, even though it would, in some way, save some time or money. 

It is also unreasonable to think that your child’s dental problems will go away on their own as they grow or have more time. Early management is essential for orthodontic issues to prevent harmful development patterns that might be expensive and unpleasant. For more information, consult an orthodontist in Cary, NC, today. 

When is the right time for a child to see an orthodontist?

Even as an adult, it is never too late to start orthodontic treatment. Nonetheless, by the age of seven, a kid should have seen an orthodontist for the first time, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. An early examination will enable the orthodontist to identify issues before they become serious. 

When a problem is identified early on, it may be treated sooner rather than later, which can be quicker and easier. Orthodontists may even be able to explore treatments that will stop future issues due to the inspection. Parental or dental observations of a kid may indicate the need for an orthodontic assessment. These symptoms include:

  • Overbites 

When the rear teeth are closed, the upper and lower jaws overlap in an overbite.

  • Underbites 

When the rear teeth are closed, the lower jaw rests in front of the upper jaw in an underbite.

  • Spacing issues 

Teeth might be arranged too closely together or too far apart.

  • Open bites 

The bottom and upper teeth do not meet when the bite is open. There are two types of open bites: anterior and posterior. In an anterior bite, the rear teeth are closed, and the front teeth are not in contact with the back teeth.

While some problems are obvious to the unaided eye, others require deeper inspection. An orthodontist can detect possible issues even in infant teeth, even if a child’s teeth appear perfectly straight. An assessment might reveal that everything is progressing as it should. Early orthodontic treatment can assist in guiding jaw growth, realigning teeth into a healthy position, and reducing the risk of harm to projecting teeth if a problem develops.

What should you expect from your child’s orthodontic examination?

The orthodontist will evaluate your child’s jaw development and facial bone alignment during their orthodontic evaluation. As baby teeth fall out of the mouth and permanent teeth start to erupt, they will also check the location and expected eruption of the teeth. 

Different methodical technique entails taking precise orthodontic photos to document and gauge the location of the jaw and teeth, as well as thorough examinations of the teeth, mouth, and facial structures and any required X-rays to assess the growth of the jawbones and teeth.