Dr. Gi Gi Paralkar of Livingston Family Orthodontics says that one of the most common questions she receives from parents is, ‘When should my child see an orthodontist?’ Many times, an older sibling may already be in braces or Invisalign, but they are wondering about their younger kids. “I absolutely LOVE this question because I get the chance to demonstrate what problems an orthodontist looks to solve for children of different ages,” she says.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be screened by an orthodontist by age 7. Once a child is 7 years old, an orthodontist expects to see specific adult teeth in your child’s mouth. An orthodontist may be able to tell just by looking at your child’s smile that your child has a thumb or finger sucking habit or breathes primarily through their mouth. Orthodontists check to see if there is enough space for adult teeth to erupt properly or if there are speech problems due to a tongue tie or narrow palate. An orthodontist will make sure that front and back teeth are meeting together properly so jaw growth proceeds normally. There are some problems that require intervention on the earlier side to prevent bigger problems from occurring down the road if left unchecked.
In many cases, after an initial screening at age 7, your orthodontist may indicate that no intervention is needed in the present. They may ask you to bring your child every 6 to 12 months for an eruption check to make sure that the permanent teeth are on schedule. Your orthodontist will also communicate your child’s progress with your child’s dentist.
If you have concerns about your child’s teeth and their alignment or development, you should consider an orthodontic screening. The initial consultation can do so much to inform you and allow you to formulate a plan with your orthodontist to ensure the healthiest and most esthetic smile for your child.
Livingston Family Orthodontics
201 S Livingston Avenue, Set 2B
Livingston, NJ 07039
973-758-8926
