As a parent, you want the best for your child, and that includes a healthy, confident smile. But many parents wonder when the right time is for their child to see an orthodontist. The answer might surprise you. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7.
Why Age 7?
At first, age 7 may seem early since many children at this age still have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth. But that’s exactly why this age is important. At this stage in their development, Dr. Vargas can evaluate your child’s bite, jaw growth, and the way their teeth are coming in to identify potential issues early on.
Some common issues we look for at Vargas Orthodontics in our Abacoa Jupiter, FL office include:
- Crowding or spacing of teeth
- Crossbites, overbites, or underbites
- Premature loss of baby teeth
- Protruding teeth
- Oral habits such as thumb sucking
What Does Your Child’s First Visit to Vargas Orthodontics look like?
(It’s More Fun Than You Think!)
We know that visiting a new doctor can feel a little bit scary for kids, but at Vargas Orthodontics, the first visit is designed to be easy, educational, and even fun! Think of it as a smile adventure day. Your child gets to meet our smile design rockstars, tour our smile design area, and even take a seat in our cool blue exam chairs. We will take some superhero-style X-rays and photos of their teeth. Dr. Vargas will count teeth, check how your child’s bite is coming together, and he will be like a smile detective to spot things like crowding or early growth patterns.
We will explain everything in kid-friendly terms, answer all your questions, and make sure your child leaves smiling with a small prize from our prize wheel. Most importantly, there are no pokes, no pain and no pressure. It’s just a relaxed check-in to see how things are developing and if any early guidance is needed. If we do not spot any potential issues at this time, Dr. Vargas will monitor your child’s growth and development with yearly smile check ins to make sure your child’s smiles growth and development stays on track.
What Are the Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Early or Phase I orthodontic treatment isn’t always necessary, but when it is it can make a huge difference in your child’s overall dental health and smile development. Here are a few of the benefits:
Guides Jaw Growth
Early treatment helps create a balanced bite and ensures the upper and lower jaws grow in harmony.
Creates Space for Incoming Teeth
If baby teeth are lost early or permanent teeth are erupting out of alignment, early treatment can make room and guide them into the right position helping to reduce future crowding.
Stops Bad Habits
Thumb sucking, and tongue thrusting, can impact how the teeth and jaws develop. Early treatment can help correct these habits before causing long term effects.
Prevents More Serious Problems Later
Intercepting developing problems early can prevent more complex treatment later in the teen years saving time, cost, and stress.
Improves Confidence Early On
Even small changes to your child’s smile or bite can give a big boost in self-esteem.
What is the Cost of Early Treatment in Abacoa Jupiter, FL?
We understand that cost is a very important part of the decision-making process for our Jupiter families. The good news is that early orthodontic treatment when needed is typically limited in scope and duration, which means it’s often less expensive than full treatment in the teen years. Every smile is unique, and at Vargas Orthodontics we will provide a personalized treatment plan with clear, upfront costs after your child’s evaluation. There are no surprises, and we will take the time to explain everything in detail before getting started. We offer interest free monthly payment plans designed to fit your family budget. Our goal is to make treatment manageable for all our Jupiter families. Many dental insurance plans include orthodontic benefits, and we’re happy to check your benefits to help maximize your coverage. Early treatment can help prevent more serious issues as they grow, which means less time in braces as a teen and potentially lower costs overall. Think of it as an investment in your child’s health, confidence, and future smile.
Vargas Orthodontics in Abacoa Jupiter, FL has been creating amazing smiles for over 20 years and we don’t just treat teeth, we treat growing smiles. We tailor every treatment plan to your child’s unique needs, timing care based on growth and development to get the best long-term results. To learn more about orthodontics for children, click here.
Let’s make your child’s first orthodontic visit fun and a memorable experience! We’re here to guide you every step of the way. Call us today or click here to schedule your child’s Smile Adventure Day. We can’t wait to meet you both!
