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Farr West Ortho has developed a fun and free program designed especially for kids ages seven and older who are not ready to start orthodontic treatment. Growth and dental development varies significantly with each patient.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children come in for a check up with an orthodontist by the time they are seven. Sometimes, early treatment is necessary. However, if your child is not quite ready, then he or she will be part of the 7UP Club, which will monitor their progress and tooth eruption.
One of the easiest ways to determine if it’s time to take your child to an orthodontist is if you notice any of these early warning signs:
Although there are ranges of normal variation, losing baby teeth too early or too late can create problems with the permanent ones that should replace them. Dr. Richards is an expert in recognizing and treating adverse variations.
Eating should not hurt. Although there is discomfort associated with “teething,” painful chewing may indicate there are orthodontic problems that should be addressed.
Although orthodontists cannot correct mouth breathing, there are orthodontic problems that can develop as a result of this pattern of breathing which can be addressed and corrected by Dr. Richards.
Shifting of the lower jaw due to a bite problem can lead to jaw pain and other dental consequences. Dr. Richards is an expert in evaluating how your teeth come together and can make sure they’re properly aligned.
In a normal bite, the outer cusps of the upper teeth hold the cheeks away from the lower chewing surfaces. If your child is constantly biting their cheeks, they may have a crossbite or other condition that is preventing normal chewing.
The appearance of the lips, chin, and other facial features are affected by the underlying teeth and jaws. Dr Richards will evaluate the relationship between the teeth, jaws, and the face and determine if treatment is needed.
After your child’s initial evaluation, if it is determined that he or she is not ready to start treatment, they will join the 7-Up Kids Club, and will receive a Farr West Ortho shirt! We will then schedule appointments every few months to check up on their progress and tooth eruption. At each recall appointment, we will check their growth, count their baby tetth and grade their brushing.
