Spread the Word – October is National Orthodontic Health Month

October means something a little different to our team at Affiliated Orthodontics because this is National Orthodontic Health Month. During October, orthodontic offices all over the country work together to promote their services and inform the community about the important work we do. Our goal is to draw attention to the fact that everyone needs to be evaluated for orthodontic treatment. You are never too young or too old if your bite or smile needs correction.

American Association of Orthodontics recommends that parents start early and all kids be evaluated 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 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 pattern, can prevent more long-term or difficult treatment later on if potential problems are addressed sooner.

Be on the lookout for 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 problems

If you notice any of these symptoms, we encourage you to schedule a complimentary exam to evaluate your child’s dental development which will enable you to determine if they are a candidate for orthodontic care and when.

We also recommend adolescents, teens, and adults exhibiting the same symptoms to be evaluated. We specialize in the latest in orthodontic care for patients 7 – 70 and beyond! It is never too late to late to “Get It Straight”. “You don’t know… what you don’t know… till you know it!” 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 our office!