crowding

SEVEN IS THE PERFECT AGE for a child’s first orthodontic examination. Screening at age seven assures that your child’s smile will be healthy and look it’s best for the longest time possible.

Early Detection Can Help Long-term Orthodontic Health

Orthodontic treatment at age seven can minimize the need for more extensive procedures such as extraction of permanent teeth in the future. Straight teeth at age seven will also help with your child's self-esteem— a fragile asset that’s so important when growing up.

What to Expect at the Seven Year Orthodontic Exam

At the seven year orthodontic exam, your orthodontist will evaluate:
1. Overjet and facial profile
2. Overbite and jaw function
3. Underbite and tooth wear
4. Openbite, breathing, and oral habits
5. Crowding, spacing, rotations and tooth alignment
6. Symmmetry and facial balance
7. Crossbite and functional shifts

Be sure to seek early treatment if your child has:
1. Snoring or mouth breathing
2. Difficulty chewing, cheek biting, or jaw shifting
3. Thumb sucking, lip biting, or finger habits
4. Crowding or missing teeth
5. Speech problems
6. Grinding or excessive tooth wear
7. Crooked, spaced, or crowded teeth

This case was treated by Board Certified orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Antioch, California. Find us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at (925)757-9000 for a complimentary orthodontic evaluation. To find an orthodontist near you, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org.

Give your child a great smile. For your child's first orthodonic exam, seven is the magic number.

Top image by Flickr user Sebastien Wiertz used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

IT’S SHOCKING. Blood on your floss. Red gums bleed while you brush your teeth. You're spooked by halitosis, or bad breath. Frightening plaque and calculus accumulate on your teeth like cement. These are the scary signs of periodontal disease. And malocclusion, or crooked teeth, make it worse.

Malocclusion Affects A Majority Of Adults

Malocclusion affects 74% of American adults. If you have severely crooked and crowded teeth, it may affect your periodontal health by making it difficult to remove plaque when teeth are not aligned.

Gingivitis Can Affect More Than Your Gums

If not treated, gum inflammation, gingivitis, will lead to soft tissue damage. Receding gums, and the formation of pockets between your teeth produces bone loss. Eventually, your teeth may even fall out!

Your teeth can be saved by periodontal treatment and orthodontics. Properly positioned teeth can help gums "fit" tightly around teeth and lead to peiodontal health.

This case was treated by board certified orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, Antioch, California. Visit us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at (925) 757-9000 for a complimentary exam. To find an orthodontist near you, visit www.mylifemysmile.org. To find a periodontist near you, visit American Academy of Periodontology at www.perio.org.

Don't let your mouth be haunted. Change malocclusion and periodontal disease to oral health.