7&UP Club
The Benefits of Early Orthodontic Screenings
The goal of the 7&Up Club at Engel Orthodontics is to stay ahead of any developing problems in order to minimize more complicated and lengthy treatments down the road.
Our 7&Up Club will monitor your child and provide complementary evaluations every 8-12 months as they continue to grow and develop through these important years. Being a member will give your child the best opportunity for a beautiful, healthy smile as they continue to grow.
Did you know the American Association of Orthodontics recommends all children see an orthodontist by age 7?
By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth. With the help of a panoramic x-ray and careful examination, we can identify if your child is missing any adult teeth or has any deviations from normal tooth eruption or jaw growth, which may lead to complications down the road.
If we do see any issues, we will recommend early treatment, also called Phase One orthodontics. On average, only ~10-15% of young patients will need early treatment; however, monitoring and correcting specific needs at this stage can identify that need.
How To Tell If Your Child May Need Early Orthodontic Treatment
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or cheek biting
- Mouth breathing
- Thumb-sucking habits after age 5
- Speech impediments
- Crowded or blocked teeth
- Protruding teeth
- Crossbite or Underbite
- Shifting or clicking during jaw function
Remember, not every child will need early interceptive treatment, and in many cases treatment will be delayed until all the permanent teeth are in during the teenage years. Our complimentary evaluations of the 7&Up Club will help you determine if early treatment is necessary.
Please contact our practice to schedule an appointment for an orthodontic evaluation and to become a member of our 7&Up Club! Early screenings now will help give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for the future!
