Early Treatments
Lara. STO Smile
Good dental health begins early
The Canadian Dental Association recommends that a child first visit the family dentist or a pediatric dentist at an early age. This can help detect and prevent problems as well as maintain good dental health.
Another important step recommended by the Canadian and American Association of Orthodontics is for your child’s first visit to the orthodontist to take place around age 7. Whether an orthodontic problem is detected or not, this visit will allow the orthodontic specialist to detect any issues that may benefit from early intervention or monitor growth and development.
The fact that orthodontists start seeing children at age 7 may surprise you since orthodontics is usually associated with adolescence. Treatment may not start at this time, but visiting an orthodontist early is important to ensure that your child receives maximum dental health and helps to plan for their future window of time for optimal orthodontic treatment.
Donovan. STO Smile
Your child may benefit from an early orthodontic examination if any of the following warning signs are present:
- Crowding or misplaced teeth
- Blocked or stuck teeth
- Crossbite or underbite (top teeth biting inside of bottom teeth)
- Jaw shifting
- Difficulty in chewing or biting
- Lost primary teeth early or late
- Finger sucking or other oral habits
In selected instances, early orthodontic treatment may be beneficial and the orthodontists at STO would recommend a customized treatment plan for your child. Otherwise, the orthodontic specialists at STO would continue to monitor your child’s dental growth and development with continued complimentary visits.
Joelle. STO Smile