The Importance of Early Orthodontic Screenings & Airway Health
February is Children's Dental Health Month, making it the perfect time to highlight the importance of early orthodontic screenings and the vital role they play in your child’s overall health. At All Star Orthodontics, we follow the American Association of Orthodontists’ (AAO) recommendation that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This early visit allows us to assess dental development and identify potential issues before they become more complex.
Why Early Orthodontic Screenings Matter
By the age of 7, children typically have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, allowing us to evaluate several key aspects of their oral health:
Tooth Development: Identifying extra or missing teeth early ensures proper spacing and alignment.
Crowding & Spacing: Addressing these issues early can prevent more significant concerns later.
Bite Alignment: Detecting problems like overbites, underbites, or crossbites helps guide jaw growth.
Jaw Growth & Narrow Palates: Identifying issues with jaw development can lead to early interventions, such as expanders, to encourage proper growth.
Teeth Eruption Patterns: Monitoring how permanent teeth emerge helps prevent complications down the road.
Harmful Oral Habits: Thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, or prolonged pacifier use can impact jaw and tooth alignment, making early intervention beneficial.
Airway Health & Orthodontics: More Than Just Straight Teeth
Beyond aesthetics, orthodontics plays a crucial role in your child’s breathing and overall well-being. Issues like a narrow airway, mouth breathing, and sleep-disordered breathing can impact development, behavior, and even academic performance.
Signs of Airway Issues in Children:
Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
Frequent mouth breathing
Restless sleep or bedwetting past toddler years
Daytime fatigue or difficulty concentrating
Behavioral concerns that mimic ADHD
Our board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Cline takes a proactive approach to airway health by assessing factors like tongue posture, palate width, and nasal breathing. Identifying airway concerns early can lead to treatments that improve sleep quality, cognitive function, and overall health.
Early Treatment: Setting the Stage for a Healthy Smile
While some children will not need treatment right away, early orthodontic evaluations allow us to monitor growth and intervene if necessary. For those who do need early treatment, options may include:
Palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw and improve airway function.
Partial braces to guide permanent teeth into better positions.
Space maintainers to hold space for adult teeth if baby teeth are lost prematurely.
Every child’s needs are unique, and our goal is to provide the right treatment at the right time to set the foundation for a healthy, confident smile.
Schedule a Complimentary Consultation
Every child’s orthodontic journey is unique, and early screenings provide valuable insights into their development. We invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Cline or Dr. Herrera at All Star Orthodontics. Together, we’ll assess your child’s orthodontic and airway health, answer your questions, and discuss any necessary next steps.
A healthy smile starts early—take the first step today!