As a parent, you want to set your child up for a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles. You might wonder when to schedule their first visit to the orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children get their first orthodontic check-up by age 7.
By this age, your child has a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This makes it the perfect time for us to evaluate their jaw growth and tooth development. Catching potential problems early gives you peace of mind and keeps your child's smile on the right track.
The Importance of Early Orthodontic Care
Waiting until the teenage years for an orthodontic visit can sometimes make treating dental issues more difficult. At age 7, a child's jaw is still growing. This allows an orthodontist to guide the growth of the jawbones and create enough space for permanent teeth to come in properly.
Early care does not always mean your child will get braces right away. In most cases, we simply monitor their growth. If we do find an issue, early intervention allows us to correct it before it becomes a major problem.
What Happens During an Orthodontic Evaluation?
Your child’s first visit to Scaffidi Orthodontics is a simple, painless, and welcoming experience. We focus on making both you and your child feel completely comfortable.
During the evaluation, we will:
- Carefully examine your child's teeth, mouth, and jaw.
- Take specialized X-rays to see the teeth that are still under the gums.
- Check for issues like overbites, underbites, crossbites, and severe crowding.
- Discuss our findings with you clearly and answer any questions you have.
Benefits of Starting Orthodontics Early
Bringing your child in for an early evaluation provides numerous long-term advantages. When we understand how your child's mouth is developing, we can create a proactive plan for their dental health.
Preventing Future Dental Issues
Early evaluations help us spot hidden problems you might not notice at home. We can identify habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting that might affect jaw development.
By stepping in early, we can guide the jaw's growth, lower the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth, and correct harmful oral habits.
Shorter and Less Complex Treatments
When we treat alignment or jaw issues while your child is still growing, later treatments often become much easier. Early intervention can prevent the need for permanent tooth extractions or jaw surgery in the future.
If your child does need Metal Braces or Clear Aligners later on, early-phase treatment usually makes that second phase much shorter and less complicated.
Why Choose Scaffidi Orthodontics for Your Child?
Finding the right orthodontist is a big decision. Families across New Orleans, Slidell, and Kenner trust Scaffidi Orthodontics because we put patient comfort and clear communication first.
We proudly serve our local communities with exceptional care and a warm, welcoming environment.
Personalized, Family-Oriented Care
We are a non-corporate practice that treats every patient like family. We know that visiting the orthodontist can make young children nervous.
That is why we gladly allow parents to sit chairside and watch their child during the appointment. We explain the "how" and "why" of every step so you always know exactly what to expect.
Convenient Locations and Flexible Financing
We believe that every child deserves a beautiful smile, and financial concerns should never stand in the way. We offer flexible, affordable financial arrangements that you control. With three convenient locations in New Orleans, Slidell, and Kenner, and the consistency of seeing the same doctor at every visit, getting top-quality orthodontic care has never been easier.
Ready to protect your child's smile?
Schedule your child's age 7 evaluation with our friendly team today and give them the gift of a healthy, confident future.