Did you know your child should have their first orthodontic appointment by the age of seven?
Many parents mistakenly believe their child needs to lose all their baby teeth before seeing an orthodontist.
However, Dr Gopal Kataria at Anglehouse Orthodontics says waiting this long can lead to various unexpected problems.
“If you wait until all baby teeth are lost, the chances of overcrowding and the need for extraction may increase,” he said.
Visits to the dentist to check the health of their children’s teeth and gums has always been a priority for parents, but it is as equally important to see the orthodontist to evaluate the bite and alignment of children’s teeth and jaws.
“A child should have their first orthodontic screening by age seven, so we can monitor the eruption of adult teeth and assess the need and timing of any orthodontic treatment.
“It also means we’re creating happy smiles while your child is growing, which helps with their self-confidence.”
The following issues should be addressed while your child is young:
– Sequence of adult teeth eruption: should be examined to help determine whether any intervention is required.
– Thumb sucking and breathing through the mouth: can result in children having their jaw growth affected and teeth pushed forward.
– Buck teeth: if not corrected, a child involved in an accident, particularly in the pool or while playing sports, is more likely to end up with broken teeth.
– Crossbite: where the lower teeth are positioned ahead of the upper teeth. If left untreated, a child can experience jaw development issues, such as the chin shifting to the left or right or forward.
– Spacing: Sometimes children have missing adult teeth. If detected at a young age, it’s easier to manage space problems and close any large gaps naturally.
Anglehouse Orthodontics is located at 7 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn. For appointments, call 9817 6427.
