A Child's First Orthodontic Visit
Salem, OR
 For many of us, there is no real limit to what we will do to ensure our children can grow up healthy and strong. From the moment the first tooth emerges, it becomes imperative that we keep a close watch on their dental health. It is fairly well-known that the body derives many valuable nutrients from food, which help cells repair. If your child is unable to get proper nutrition due to issues with their teeth, it may cause developmental issues. However, starting with their very first visit at Amborn Orthodontics, we can immediately begin to monitor the growth of your child’s teeth and jaw to prevent problems before they can happen.
Scheduling Your Child's Appointment
The moment the first tooth emerges, it becomes susceptible to cavities. Especially if your child consumes sweet beverages often and does not brush or rinse with water afterward, it is an excellent idea to start educating your child on good dental care now. It makes sense that taking good care of primary teeth not only teaches personal responsibility at a young age; it also creates a habit that will benefit the adult teeth when they start to emerge.
Many children lose their first baby tooth around the age of seven. Once the permanent teeth begin to come in, you should schedule a visit with us. Losing a tooth marks a transition into adulthood. During this time, it is easier to prevent or reverse any issues rather than have to face them in the future when they have gotten worse. The body is about to start going through some incredible changes, and it is better to repair dental problems during this stage because of how well the body can adjust.
Make sure your child is rested and fed when they come in for their visit, as a tired or hungry patient may not enjoy the dental experience as much. Plan for plenty of time getting to and from your appointment, so neither of you feels rushed or anxious. It is a good idea to have any paperwork filled out in advance.
Your Child's First Visit
The first appointment is likely to be brief to establish rapport, so the child feels comfortable. The mouth will be thoroughly examined to check for any problems. We are especially checking to see if there are any possible crossbites, an over or underbite, the presence of supernumerary teeth, or even evidence that a habit may be distressing the teeth, such as thumb sucking. From that point, we can determine if it is necessary to take any x-rays.
If your child's teeth have no noticeable issues, then we will continue to monitor them throughout the developmental years and treat any problems as they arise.
If, however, we do detect something, we can let you know right away. Because of high-tech dental imagery, we can create a 3D image of your child's mouth. The pictures are generally ready in an instant so that we can see high-resolution imaging within seconds. We can then accurately predict if there could be any future problems with the permanent teeth. If there are, we can begin the process of creating a treatment plan immediately.
Read More about Orthodontics for Children
Braces for Teens and Kids
Why Orthodontics?
Braces and Dental Hygiene
Braces vs. Aligners
Your child's first visit could be the one that paves the road toward a future of superior oral health. If you are interested in learning more about orthodontics and how braces might be right for your child, please contact Amborn Orthodontics at (503) 967-9887, where one of our friendly staff will be happy to answer your questions.
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