As parents, we track every major milestone in our children's lives—from their first steps to their first day of elementary school. But there is one crucial healthcare milestone that often sneaks up on parents: their child's first visit to the orthodontist.
If you are raising a family here in Longview or the surrounding East Texas area, you might be wondering, "When is the right time to bring my child to Mack and Hansen Orthodontics?"
The answer might be earlier than you think. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), children should have their first orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7.
Here is everything you need to know about why this age is the "magic number" and how early evaluation can set your child up for a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles.
Why Does the AAO Recommend Age 7?
You might look at your seven-year-old’s smile, see a mix of baby teeth and a few permanent teeth, and think it’s far too early for braces. You aren't alone! However, a screening at this age isn’t necessarily about getting braces right away.
By age 7, your child's first adult molars have typically erupted, which establishes their back bite. During this time, an experienced orthodontist can evaluate the front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships. According to the AAO, evaluating a child at this critical developmental stage allows orthodontists to spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while baby teeth are still present.
The Benefits of an Early Orthodontic Evaluation
While your child's teeth may look completely straight on the outside, there can be underlying issues with how their jaw is developing. Early evaluation (and if necessary, early intervention, often called Phase I Treatment) offers several incredible benefits:
- Guiding Jaw Growth: We can gently guide the growth of the jaw bones to create facial symmetry and adequate space for incoming permanent teeth.
- Lowering Trauma Risk: Protruding front teeth are incredibly common but can easily be chipped or broken on the playground. Early treatment tucks them safely back into place.
- Correcting Harmful Habits: We can help address prolonged thumb-sucking, tongue-thrusting, or mouth-breathing that can alter facial development.
- Avoiding Future Extractions: By making room now, we can dramatically reduce the need for permanent tooth extractions or jaw surgery later in life.
What if My Child Doesn't Need Treatment Yet?
This is the best-case scenario—and incredibly common! If Dr. Mack or Dr. Hansen evaluates your child and determines their smile is developing perfectly, we don't just send you on your way.
For our East Texas patients who aren't quite ready for treatment, we invite them to join our Growing Smiles Club!
Through our Growing Smiles Club, we will continue to monitor your child's dental development and jaw growth every 6 to 12 months. These observation appointments are completely complimentary. It takes the guesswork out of orthodontics for parents; we keep a close eye on your child’s oral development, and we'll let you know exactly when (and if) it is the ideal time to begin treatment.
Proudly Serving Families Across East Texas
At Mack and Hansen Orthodontics, we are proud to be a top-rated orthodontic team for families not just in Longview, but across the entire Piney Woods region—including Hallsville, Kilgore, Marshall, Gilmer, and Gladewater. We know that East Texas parents want the absolute best for their kids, and we are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art care in a fun, family-friendly environment.
Schedule Your Child’s Complimentary Screening Today
Don't wait until your child is a teenager to start thinking about their smile! If your child has reached the age of 7, or if you have any concerns about the way their teeth or jaw are developing, now is the perfect time to visit.
Getting started is simple, stress-free, and requires no referral from your family dentist. Contact Mack and Hansen Orthodontics in Longview, TX, today to schedule your child's complimentary early evaluation, and let’s get them enrolled in the Growing Smiles Club!
To learn more about the benefits of early orthodontic treatment and Phase I braces, visit our website at https://www.etxortho.com/early-treatment-phase-i-braces or call our Longview office to book your free consultation.
