As a parent, you want to give your child every opportunity for a healthy and confident smile. One important step in that journey is knowing when to schedule their first orthodontic evaluation. According to our orthodontist in Redding, CA, early visits can make a big difference in your child’s oral health and future treatment outcomes.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their around age 7. Why so early? At this age, children typically have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth, which allows Dr. McCarthy to assess how the adult teeth are coming in and how the jaws are developing.
Even if everything appears fine on the surface, there may be underlying issues that only a trained eye can catch.
Seeing our Redding orthodontist early doesn’t always mean treatment is necessary right away. In fact, most kids won’t need braces until they’re older. However, an early evaluation can identify problems like overcrowding, crossbites, underbites, and jaw misalignment before they become more serious.
When caught early, some conditions can be corrected or managed with early orthodontic treatment, which can simplify future orthodontic work—or in some cases, eliminate the need for it altogether. This intervention is also called Phrase 1 orthodontics.
While age 7 is the general guideline, there are signs that may indicate your child should see our orthodontist in Redding, CA, sooner.
If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait—schedule a consultation to have your child evaluated by Dr. McCarthy.
Even if treatment isn’t needed right away, early monitoring allows our Redding, CA orthodontist to track your child’s growth and development. This means Dr. McCarthy can intervene at the optimal time if issues arise. Early monitoring often leads to shorter treatment times, fewer complications, and better long-term results.
Your child’s first visit will likely include an examination of their teeth, jaws, and bite. Dr. McCarthy may take X-rays, photographs, or dental impressions to understand how the teeth are developing. From there, she’ll recommend one of three outcomes: no treatment needed, treatment needed in the future, or treatment needed now.
Timing is everything when it comes to . Starting the process at the right age can help your child avoid more complicated procedures down the road and set them up for a lifetime of confident, healthy smiles.
If your child is nearing age 7—or if you’ve noticed signs of potential orthodontic issues—consider booking a consultation with our . Early action can make all the difference in your child’s orthodontic journey. Call Shasta Orthodontics at (530) 223-6850 or fill out our online contact form to get started.
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