Did you know it is recommended for children to schedule a consultation with an orthodontist by the age of seven? The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) supports the idea that seven is the best age to schedule your elementary school child’s first orthodontic screening. By doing this, any emerging orthodontic issues can be caught before they worsen. Early detection is key, and it allows our compassionate San Antonio orthodontists to prescribe less invasive treatment options, leading to a shorter and more comfortable treatment time.
Diagnose Growth-Related Issues
As parents, we always want what is best for our children. From making sure they eat a balanced diet to ensuring they get enough rest, we try to set them on a path towards a healthy and happy life. However, some issues may not be easily noticeable, such as an underdeveloped jawbone, that require close attention and early detection from one of our detail-oriented San Antonio orthodontists.
By addressing these issues between growth spurts at an early orthodontic screening, we can ensure the best long-term outcome for children. That’s why it’s important for parents to work closely with their child’s orthodontist to identify and address any alignment issues as early as possible. By doing so, we can help our children achieve a healthy smile that will last a lifetime.
Improve Appearance & Confidence
Having misaligned teeth can be challenging for children, especially when it comes to their self-esteem. Over time, kids may feel self-conscious about their appearance and may avoid smiling or speaking up due to embarrassment. That’s why it’s essential to correct misaligned teeth using traditional braces, clear aligners, or other orthodontic treatments.
Straight teeth not only instill confidence in children, but it can also improve their speech development. Kids with straight teeth can speak more clearly, enunciate words better, and express themselves confidently without fear of being misunderstood. In the end, investing in orthodontic treatment for children ensures that they have a healthy smile, improved self-esteem, and better communication skills as they grow up.
Insurance Coverage
Orthodontic treatment has been proven to be beneficial for people of all ages. However, many insurance companies tend to only cover orthodontic treatment before the age of 18. Why is that so? The reason is that dental benefits generally tend to be more inclusive for children as they are still developing, and any orthodontic problem that arises during this time is easier to correct during childhood.
Despite this, it is important to note that adult orthodontic treatment has become more common as people are recognizing the benefits of orthodontic care. If you are someone who is above the age of 18 and in need of orthodontic treatment, it’s worth discussing with your insurance provider and orthodontist to see what options are available for you. At Alamo City Orthodontics, we offer CareCredit® to help patients of all ages afford costs associated with orthodontic treatment.
Early Orthodontic Screenings For Better Quality of Life
Remember, a healthy smile is not only beneficial to your wellness but also improves your overall quality of life. Therefore, we strongly recommend not waiting until your child is a teenager or adult to address orthodontic concerns. Schedule an early orthodontic screening at age 7 to secure a better future smile for your little one.
