>
Many parents often assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Dr. John Gerling, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started sooner. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?
That’s right—seven.
You’re probably thinking, “Ok, what’s so great about age seven?” Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Gerling 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. Gerling calls “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.
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 are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at (956) 687-2004.
