Keep Your Child’s Oral Health on Track with Orthodontic Screenings

Are you looking for your child’s first orthodontic screening in Mount Vernon, New York? Pediatric exams at Elevation Dental Studio involve evaluation of oral growth and development to help prepare you and your child for any orthodontic care that may be needed in the future.

What happens at an orthodontic screening?

Experts in orthodontics agree that all children must be screened by a dentist for orthodontic concerns by age seven. During this age, a mixture of baby and permanent teeth gives the dentist a deeper insight into your child’s oral development. Early orthodontic screenings can prevent the need for extensive treatment in the future. 

Wondering what happens during an orthodontic screening? An orthodontic screening is similar to a routine dental check-up, but the dentist focuses on the teeth and bite development. 

Here are some of the things we look at: 

  • How upper and lower teeth bite together (occlude)
  • Uneven spaces
  • Cross bites and open bites
  • Signs of poor oral habits like tongue thrusting and thumb sucking
  • Development and alignment of permanent teeth
  • Premature tooth loss

Preventive orthodontic screenings prevent speech problems, avert dental damage, and improve oral health development. While traditional braces aren’t ideal at age seven, identifying orthodontic concerns early catches minor problems before they become significant issues.

The importance of early orthodontic screenings

When we spot orthodontic problems, treatment is usually less complex and more successful. Many dental alignment issues can be intercepted by recommending a change of oral habits (like thumb sucking) or oral appliances like space maintainers to minimize the severity of the problem and reduce the length your child will need to wear braces. 

The many benefits of early orthodontic screenings include:

  • Early intervention of bite issues like overbites and underbites
  • Improved facial aesthetics
  • Saves money and discomfort in the long run
  • Reduce the need for complex treatments
  • Improved oral health

Schedule your child’s orthodontic evaluation today!

If your child is approaching age seven or older than that, it’s time to schedule an orthodontic screening at Elevation Dental Studio. Call us at (914) 252-3238 to schedule your child’s visit with Dr. MitzAnn Edmond. We can’t wait to give your little one a healthy, beautiful smile for life!