Prioritize your family's smiles this year with these three easy steps from the American Association of Orthodontists and SmilesForever Orthodontics.
1. Get your 7-year-old into an AAO orthodontist for his or her first checkup.
Don’t wait for a dentist’s referral. It might not come and orthodontists don’t require one. Dentists may not be evaluating the child’s bite, and by age 7, your child has enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to evaluate if a problem exists or is developing. Most orthodontists take a panoramic x-ray and photos to evaluate any concerns or potential problems with permanent teeth getting ready to break through the surface – such as extra teeth, missing teeth or teeth coming into the wrong positions.
One of three things could result from the first appointment. 1) No treatment is expected to be necessary. 2) Treatment may be needed in the future, so the child will be followed periodically while the face and jaws continue to grow. 3) There is a problem that lends itself to early treatment, and you are in the right spot to get it started!
2. Retainers – if you have one, wear it.
Set a good example for your children and make retainers part of your oral hygiene routine. Whether you’re 10, 30 or 50, it’s important to continue wearing your retainer after treatment. You brush your teeth for a lifetime, and you should wear your retainer a lifetime. Changes to the position of your teeth occur naturally throughout your life, so help make sure teeth stay put after treatment.
If your retainer no longer fits, your teeth have likely shifted, which brings us to point three.
3. Get a closer look. Set up an orthodontics evaluation to see how your smile can benefit with treatment.
SmilesForever Orthodontics offers complimentary first-visit consultations. Whether you’ve never had orthodontic treatment, or you think you need a touch up on what’s been previously done, stop in and see how doctors Brad Gilbert and Adam Wells can help to improve your smile.
What are you waiting for? Give our team a call to schedule your visit today!
Trust an AAO orthodontist.
Both Dr. Adam Wells and Dr. Brad Gilbert are members of the American Association of Orthodontists, helping patients to achieve healthy, beautiful and confident smiles at any age. Orthodontists are experts in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics – properly aligned teeth and jaws – and possess the skills and experience to give you your best smile.
