San Clemente Kid’s Orthodontist

If you need to take your child to the orthodontist, you should contact a kid’s orthodontist in San Clemente, CA from John Redmond Orthodontics. Taking your child to see the orthodontist at a very young age is recommended by most orthodontists as well as the American Association of Orthodontists, who suggests parents schedule an appointment with an orthodontist by the time their child reaches age seven. If you are wondering if your child is at the right age for their first visit, speak with a San Clemente, California kid’s orthodontist today.

Why is it so important for a seven-year-old child to see an orthodontist?

• At that age, the orthodontist will screen the young child for possible issues while their jaw is still growing.
• First consultations may not cost you anything
• Seeing the orthodontist at a young age will let the child become comfortable with the office and the doctor should they require treatment
• Provides reassurance if the orthodontist says your child’s bite is properly developing.
• If the orthodontist sees anything affecting the child’s bite, you can be advised as to what behaviors may be contributing to the poor development and how to modify those behaviors.

If after the initial visit the San Clemente, CA kid’s orthodontist recommends treatment, it could prevent additional treatment, saving you money and time as your child grows. Addressing a developmental or structural issue when your child is about seven years old is enough time to correct the issue while the jaw and bones are still growing. If you wait until the jaw stops growing to correct the defect, it can be painful and surgery may be added to the mix to fix the issue.

A kid’s orthodontist San Clemente, CA patients rely on believes a visit to our office at an early age can possibly prevent more extensive and expensive treatment later on.

Other Benefits of Seeing an Orthodontist at a Young Age

• Straighter, less crowded teeth at a younger age are easier to brush and clean. As a result, the child will probably have fewer cavities.
• Correcting a bad bite at a young age can possibly improve your child’s facial appearance and smile.

Reasons or Behaviors that May Want to Be Addressed by an Orthodontist

You never need a referral to visit an orthodontist. If your child presents any of the following behaviors, you may want to consider seeing an orthodontist when your child is very young. You will be able to spot most of these behaviors, but there are some that the orthodontist will specifically look for and address.

• Underbite or overbite
• Sucking the thumb
• Problems chewing
• Crowded teeth or teeth coming in the wrong place
• Tongue thrusting
• Grinding the teeth
• Biting the cheek
• Mouth breathing
• Facial appearance looks unbalanced
• Losing baby teeth too early or too late

It may not be necessary to immediately start treatment right after the first visit. The orthodontist may just want to watch the development of your child’s mouth for a few years prior to any treatment. However, during that initial visit, the orthodontist may be able to offer recommendations for behaviors or growth issues that may become problematic as the child grows and suggest treatments that can be corrected while the jaw is still growing.

If after that first visit the orthodontist does not recommend any treatment, you may still be asked to come in periodically to check on your child’s growth. These visits will not cost you anything and will help you keep ahead of any possible issues that need to be addressed.

At John Redmond Orthodontics, we work as a team to help you and your family achieve the best possible smile. Contact a San Clemente, CA kid’s orthodontist today!