Becoming a parent is both exciting and scary. An important part of being a parent is knowing the right time to take your children to the doctor or the dentist. Indeed, you do not want your child to suffer due to your ignorance or neglect. Many people question when their child’s first dental visit should be, but seldom do people talk about orthodontists specifically.
Orthodontists can be an important part of your child’s life. Many children have an overbite, underbite, and other alignment issues. When these are ignored in childhood, they become severe issues during the adult years. Taking proactive steps can save your child’s teeth and your money in the future. Visit a Fullerton family orthodontist today.
Five important signs to take your child to an orthodontist.
- Your child just turned 7 years old.
Babies tend to lose their milk teeth around the age of 5 to 6 years. It also depends on your child’s tooth development as well. After the milk teeth go, new permanent teeth emerge from their gums. This is a crucial stage of your child’s dental journey. It is recommended to take your child to a dentist when they turn 7-8 years old.
- Losing baby teeth early.
Normally kids start losing their milk teeth when they turn 5-6 years old. However, some may start losing them early. This happens mainly due to an injury or tooth decay. The baby teeth may be gone when the adult tooth is not ready to fill the gap. As a result, the nearby teeth shift to fill the gap and block the passage of emerging adult teeth.
- Overbite or underbite.
Overbite or underbite is a signal that your kid might need an immediate dental check-up. An overbite is a condition when your front upper teeth extend beyond the bottom ones. However, in an underbite, the lower teeth protrude. It mainly happens when your kid has a problem with their jaw.
- Teeth are gapping or overlapping.
Extremely spaced out and extremely overcrowded teeth are a very common problem in the orthodontic world. Early treatment can help resolve the issue easily. If your child is suffering from the same, it is important to be proactive.
- Biting problems.
If you hear any popping sound as your kid moves his jaw, it is time to reach out to an orthodontist. The sound may be associated with chewing, biting, and even talking. Your kid might have a problem with his jaw. It can be painful and distressing for him. Visiting an orthodontist will help you resolve the issue easily.