kids

When should my child see an orthodontist? Let’s take a closer look. By seeing an orthodontist early, you can ensure your child gets the best start. 

Notably, there are tremendous advantages in getting an early start. By spotting any red flags in the early stages, you can help ensure a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles.

When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?

The Amerian Association of Orthodontists recommends children see an orthodontist no later than age seven. Most kids have some permanent teeth at this age, and the orthodontist can spot potential malocclusions. (a bad bite caused by misalignments)

However, if you spot something of concern and your child is younger than age seven, it’s a good idea to have an orthodontist check it out. Furthermore, if your child hasn’t seen an orthodontist by age eight, it’s not too late to get started. Please, schedule a free consultation with Dr. Glaser at your earliest convenience.

Remember, it’s never too late to get started with an orthodontist, at any age.

Pediatric Dentist Vs. Orthodontist

For general dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child’s first visit be when the first tooth comes in, no later than age one to two. Whereas a dentist helps maintain oral health, an orthodontist is a skilled smile specialist with years of additional education and training. 

Thus, your orthodontist ensures smiles are beautiful, functional, and healthy. If there are misalignments, they can correct them whether there are minor or extensive irregularities. Both dentists and orthodontists are your allies in better oral health but have different specialties.

Often, a dentist will recommend an orthodontist, but you don’t need the recommendation to get started.

Your First Visit is a Fun, Educational Experience

We all know going to a dentist or orthodontist can be an intimidating experience, especially for youngsters. However, we always strive to make your visits fun, educational, and comfortable. By making the visit a positive and fun experience, we can help encourage a lifetime of better oral health habits.

Therefore, your first visit is a time to learn more without discomfort. After looking at your child’s smile, the orthodontist will explain if any potential problems are present. Often, kids won’t need further treatment, but if there is an issue, then we’ve caught it early! 

 

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Intercept Problems to Avoid Bigger Issues

Next, if we spot something of concern, we’ll discuss all of the options to correct and prevent further problems. Then, we’ll go over all the details like treatment cost and how long it will likely take.

With interceptive treatment, kids can avoid bigger problems later. Therefore, we can prevent a more expensive treatment down the road. Even better, orthodontic treatment improves health, so kids are happier and more confident from the start.

Choosing an Orthodontist

When it comes to you or your child’s smile, you deserve award-winning treatment. 

If you live in the Westchester County area, you can access a world-class orthodontic leader: Dr. Barry J. Glaser. Using his advanced experience, he can design more convenient and comfortable treatment plans for kids. Today, we also have ways to make treatment more fun, as you can see in the Instagram post below.

By choosing an experienced orthodontist, you can make sure that treatment is efficient, effective, comfortable, and affordable. At Glaser Orthodontics, our award-winning team makes you and your child our top priorities. So, can be confident you’ve chosen the best care for your family.

 

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We Look Forward to Meeting You and Your Child

Please, check out our Before and After Gallery and testimonials for examples of what you can expect. As you will see, we love what we do and helping people of all ages get amazing smiles.

We hope this has been helpful as you consider “When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?” For any questions, give us a call at 914.739.6400 anytime. Or, schedule your first in-person visit with your child here. 

Proudly providing orthodontic services to Northern Westchester and Putnam Counties. Including Cortlandt Manor, Peekskill, Yorktown Heights, Mahopac, Croton-On-Hudson, and Cold Spring.

Below, see more about advanced treatment for kids available at Glaser Orthodontics:

Glaser Orthodontics in Cortlandt Manor is proud to support the annual observance of Kick Butt’s Day which is March 19.  Since 1996, Kick Butt’s Day has been observed as a national day of activism that aims at empowering youths to live a tobacco free lifestyle. As a dental health care provider in Cortlandt Manor, Glaser Orthodontics encourages its patients to make healthy choices and influence their peers to do the same.

Research has found that kids are three times more sensitive to tobacco advertising than adults and therefore, more likely to be influenced by cigarette marketing. Glaser Orthodontics encourages teachers, youth leaders and health advocates to participate in the Kick Butt Day and raise the awareness of the problem of tobacco in Cortlandt Manor and Nationally.

Glaser Orthodontics encourages our youth to reject the tobacco industry’s marketing and to stay tobacco free.  By living a healthy life style, this will eliminate preventable oral and health problems in the future.  The main oral health problems that may result from tobacco use includes, but not limited to:

·         bad breath

·         stained teeth

·         inflammation

·         increased plaque and tartar build-up

·         increased risk of gum disease

All of these are preventable by choosing a tobacco free life style.  According to WebMD, even smokeless tobacco (such as chewing tobacco) can cause damage to your teeth.  Surprisingly, chewing tobacco contains more nicotine than cigarettes making it even more addictive than cigarettes!

For more information on Kick Butt Day, please refer to the website.  Glaser Orthodontics in Cortlandt Manor is always available to help in your overall oral health

When getting braces have you ever wondered what will happen if you go through a metal detector? Its quite a common myth that children have created. Most kids and young adults fear that when they go through their local airport security, or to their professional sporting events that the metal detectors will just go wild and that they will be searched and maybe even questioned. In fact, that’s not the case at all and lucky for you braces are safe in all security areas! Braces are made out of titanium and other light weight metals that are designed specifically so you can go through without being searched.

Another common myth is that if you were braces you can get struck by lightning! Most kids get scared and worried when that weekly thunder storm rolls into town. Well, they’re wrong! People who wear braces have a 1 in 700,000 chance of being struck by lightning. People who don’t have braces have a 1 in 700,000 chance of being struck by lightning. It doesn’t make any difference. Braces are not lightning rods.

So before you get all worried and fret over these small myths, just know that no security guards will be patting you down or tackling you, and that you’re just as safe as everyone else from lightning. Enjoy your summer vacations!! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns call Dr. Glaser at his Cortlandt Manor office at (914) 739-6400.