Did You Know?

The American Academy of Orthodontists recommends that children complete their first checkup with an orthodontist by age seven. This age is good for a first consultation because many children at this point have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, which offers the examining orthodontist considerable insight. But the AAO also notes that parents need not wait until a child is seven if they have any concerns or notice anything they might think is unusual regarding their child's teeth. Difficulty chewing or biting, mouth breathing, jaws shifting or clicking, cheek biting, facial imbalance, and early or late loss of baby teeth are potential indicators that a youngster can benefit from orthodontic care.