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Most of us associate braces with the early teenage years, but the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist beginning at age 7!   Why is it important to start at such a young age?

Children have a unique combination of teeth around age 7.  Their 6-year molars are typically visible, along with a few other permanent teeth.  After viewing an x-ray of the remaining adult teeth, the orthodontist can get a clear picture of their dental future. If all permanent teeth are erupting straight, with a direct path for each incoming tooth, early intervention is less likely to be needed. But sometimes this evaluation reveals a potential issue because teeth aren’t aligned with their “assigned spot.”  

Misaligned teeth in children can result in: 

• Eruption problems with remaining adult teeth 

• Tooth pain from crowding or misaligned bite 

• Gum disease and tooth decay 

• Chipping or uneven tooth wear 

• Jaw pain 

• Mouth breathing 

• Cheek biting 

• Speech difficulties  

At this age, Dr. McKinney will be evaluating for early intervention in order to prevent more serious issues as the patient grows. This can take the form of milder and shorter treatments such as braces only on top or bottom, spacers, palatal expanders, or a combination. Alternatively, often patients can be placed in “observation” status, where regular appointments are scheduled to observe dental progress so that potential issues can be caught quickly. But what if no treatment is recommended? As a firm believer in evidence-based orthodontics, Dr. McKinney is also happy to reassure patients (and parents!) that their dental health is right on track.  

What about your teenager that needs braces to achieve a straight and confident smile? This is an optimal time for comprehensive orthodontic treatment! Most baby teeth are gone by age 12 and most adult teeth are in around age 13 (with the exception of wisdom teeth). Adolescents are growing rapidly, which allows the jawbone tissue to be softer and more responsive to repositioning.  

Teenagers are also at an ideal stage in life to maintain their braces more independently. At McKinney Orthodontics, we want to involve every patient in their treatment process; ideal treatment outcomes occur when the patient partners with us in the process! Teenagers (and patients of all ages) receive instructions and demonstrations of how to care for their braces, keep their teeth clean and wear rubber bands. This not only gives them a sense of ownership and pride in their smile, but often helps them establish consistent dental care habits that stay with them for life.  

Orthodontic treatment during this timeframe is also an investment in their dental health during adulthood. Delaying braces until later in life often results in more complex dental health conditions that worsen over time. These issues may include, but aren’t limited to: 

• Crowding and misalignment make it more difficult to floss and brush, resulting in gum disease and tooth decay.   

• Uneven wear and chipping occur when teeth aren’t properly aligned.  

• Face and neck pain, TMJ and headaches often result from improper jaw alignment. 

Our goal is to provide the best orthodontic care possible for your child or teen. We are happy to address all of your questions and concerns at one of our FREE new patient consultations. We have office locations in Tuscaloosa, Winfield and Fayette for the convenience of our patients from all over West Alabama and East Mississippi!

Call or text us at 205-345-5524 for more information or to setup a consultation!