The February 2021 National Children's Dental Health Month is brought to you by Hess Orthodontics.
Dental hygiene is one of the most important things we can teach our children, but getting our kids to take care of their teeth can be like "pulling teeth".
Orthodontics tends to be associated with teens, so it often comes as a surprise to learn that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends kids have their first orthodontic exam by around the age of 7. Even though their mouths are still developing and they probably still have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, an evaluation allows an orthodontist to identify potential problems before they become a bigger deal. This can lessen or eliminate any negative impact on your child’s permanent teeth and bite.
"Why 7 Years Old?" Around age 6 or 7, some of the adult, permanent front teeth have come in as well as the first set of adult molars, appropriately nicknamed the "six-year-molars." When these key dental "landmarks" are in, an orthodontist can identify how a child's bite is likely to develop over the following years. With the help of one panoramic x-ray, they can also identify if your child is naturally missing any adult teeth (5% of the population is), as well as identify deviations from normal tooth eruption, which may lead to complications down the road.
Starting treatment at the right time can have a big impact on a child’s oral health! Even though most children won’t require any active treatment, an early exam lets an ortho check for a number of issues to determine if and when orthodontic treatment is indicated.
It is always a great choice to invest in your smile! During your first visit to Hess Orthodontics we will discuss what you desire from orthodontic treatment. One of our team members will take you on a tour of one of our beautiful offices featuring the latest in orthodontic treatment technology. Our Doctors will evaluate you or your child to determine if orthodontic treatment is recommended.
After a comprehensive evaluation, our doctors will ensure that you fully understand all aspects of the prescribed treatment. A discussion will follow to ensure that you fully understand all aspects of the problems and proposed solutions. If both parents are unable to attend, we are happy to make arrangements via a phone call to the parent who was unable to attend to review x-rays, digital photographs, and proposed treatment. It is very informative and provides an opportunity to get acquainted. If both parents are unable to attend, we may choose to do a complementary online consult with the parent who was unable to attend where we will view X-rays and digital photographs online.
Orthodontics is what we do. We have treated over 11,500 patients and have over 14 years' experience in creating beautiful smiles. We offer the latest orthodontic treatment technology for our patients to achieve the best possible results. Busy schedule? Enjoy the flexibility of our Wednesday evening appointments. Five convenient locations in FishHawk, Riverview, Apollo Beach, Parrish, and Sarasota!!
At Hess Orthodontics, we are passionate about creating beautiful smiles! Contact us to learn about our comprehensive orthodontic treatments.
