"My daughter is seven years old - when should I bring her in for a consultation?"

Great question! Dr. Gregory Scott will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for Dr. Scott and our staff to assess what the best age for treatment is.

We encourage you to give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment!

Age seven, the magic number for your child's first visit to Scott Orthodontic Associates

Many parents in Lakeland and surrounding communities just assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Scott Orthodontic Associates, only to discover that treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. But did you know that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That's right: seven.

OK, you're thinking: what’s so great about age seven, Dr. Scott? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Scott to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or what Dr. Scott calls “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites, and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, however, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and detrimental to good oral hygiene. So if your child is nearing age seven, please give us a call at Scott Orthodontic Associates to schedule an appointment.

Happy Monday!