Get a Head Start on a Beautiful Smile
You want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a pleasing smile.
We'll treat your children like our own by giving them the best possible orthodontic care.
Kids Should Get an Orthodontic Check-Up By 7
Your child needs teeth and jaws that are properly aligned to have a smile that's long-lasting and healthy – in other words, a healthy bite.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child get an orthodontic check-up by no later than age seven years old.
By then, your child's teeth have developed enough for subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth to still be spotted while some baby teeth are still present.
This check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine and braces for kids aren't necessary.
Or, Dr. Benton and Dr. Barry may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring your child's growth and development, and then, if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for your child.
In other cases, Dr. Benton and Dr. Barry might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.
What Is The Designer Smiles Kids Club?
Dr. Benton and Dr. Barry have developed this unique, no cost program made especially for children who are not quite ready to begin orthodontic treatment. Because growth and development vary greatly with each patient, our doctors prefer to examine and closely monitor your child's individual progress and eruption.
This will determine the ideal time for your child to start orthodontic treatment and will insure optimum results. All visits and any necessary X-rays are free, too!
Your child will also have the opportunity to spin our prize wheel and have a chance to win some awesome prizes at every six-month check-up!
Choosing the Best Time for Treatment
While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they are treated early.
If Dr. Benton and Dr. Barry think your child will need treatment, he let you know when it will be best to begin treatment.
This gives your orthodontist the best chance to:
- Guide jaw growth
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child
- Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips and face
Signs the Bite Isn't Right
It's not always easy to tell when your child may need braces or has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem bite.
Here are some clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Breathing through the mouth
- Thumb-sucking
- Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
- Jaws that are too far forward or back
- Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
- Protruding teeth
- Upper and lower teeth that don't meet, or meet in an abnormal way
- An unbalanced facial appearance
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth
Learn More at Your Free Consultation
If your child has a dental issue, please contact us by setting up a free consultation.
We can talk about your child's orthodontic options and develop a treatment plan customized to your child's needs.