October is National Orthodontic Health Month and the team at Wafelbakker Anderson Orthodontics is committed to the goals of the campaign. Sponsored by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), the campaign aims to create awareness about the benefits of orthodontic treatment and the significance of oral health.
During October, orthodontic offices nationwide work together to promote their services and inform the community about the important work orthodontists do. The goal is to draw attention to the fact that everyone needs to be evaluated for orthodontic treatment. You’re never too young or too old if your bite or smile needs to be corrected.
AAO recommends that parents start early and that kids be evaluated at 7-8 years of age. During the growing years of 7-10, kids undergo a major growth spurt that goes hand in hand with the eruptive pattern of their teeth and development of their jaws.
An orthodontist specializes in the growth and development of teeth and jaws and can best determine if your child is a candidate for treatment and the optimum time to begin treatment if they can follow a child’s development from an early age. Intervening at the correct time, based on your child’s individual growth patterns, can prevent more long-term or difficult treatment later on in their lives if potential problems are addressed sooner.
Here are some orthodontic warning signs that can be found in children, teens, and adults:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth or missing permanent teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting into food
- Mouth breathing due to allergies or enlarged tonsils and adenoids during developmental years
- Finger habits during development years
- Crowded, misplaced, or blocked out teeth
- Crossbite, overbite, and protruding teeth
- Inability to comfortably close lips
- Speech problems
- Teeth that don’t come together
- Grinding or clenching of teeth
- Clicking of jaw joints and TMJ (temporomanibular joint) problems
If you notice any of these symptoms, we encourage you to schedule a complimentary exam with WAO to evaluate your child’s dental development, which will enable you to determine if they are a candidate for orthodontic care and when.
At WAO we also recommend adolescents, teens, and adults exhibiting the same symptoms to be evaluated. We specialize in the latest in orthodontic care for patients ages 7 to 70 and beyond! It is never too late to late to “get it straight.” Contact our office today for more information.
Dental health is something that affects everyone; healthy teeth and gums contribute to a healthy smile and a lifetime of comfort and well-being. Orthodontists are just one of the various dental practitioners you could visit at some point in your life, so taking a little time to learn who we are and what we do is certain to be a helpful experience. We look forward to seeing you and your family this October at one of our four offices in Northern California: Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Hollister and Walnut Creek. Go to https://waosmiles.com or call us at (408) 776-9112, to learn more about our team and services.