Your Child's First Visit in Wakefield and Westerly, RI

Establishing Trust From the Start

Did you know the best time to bring your child for an orthodontic evaluation is at the age of seven? This is what’s known as the general rule of seven. Your child’s first visit to an orthodontist represents an important step in their development.

At DeQuattro Orthodontic, Dr. Frank DeQuattro and our team will do everything possible to ensure your child’s visit is as fun and positive as possible. By helping foster their appreciation for dental care and developing an orthodontic treatment plan early, if necessary, you’re helping to put them on the path to lasting oral health.

young child holding a toothbrush and dental floss

Your Child’s First Visit to the Orthodontist

At DeQuattro Orthodontics, we recommend that you bring your child no later than the age of seven. Early evaluation doesn’t necessarily mean early treatment. Instead, the purpose of the evaluation is to identify any dental issues to determine if your child requires care. 

During the evaluation, one of our orthodontists will examine your child’s bite and jaw alignment. This allows us to see if preventative treatment can address any present orthodontic issues such as crooked teeth. Evaluation appointments help our orthodontists determine if orthodontic treatment can wait or won’t be needed.

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment

Early orthodontic treatment has many benefits and advantages for children, including:

  • Guiding permanent teeth into a more favorable position
  • Helping develop facial/ jaw growth
  • Correcting harmful oral habits
  • Reducing the severity of the case and subsequent future treatment
  • Improving your child’s bite alignment
  • Promoting your child’s self-confidence

Warning Signs of Orthodontic Issues

While not all children require early orthodontic treatment, it’s sometimes necessary to prevent future complications. Some warning signs of orthodontic issues can be difficult to detect, such as:

  • Crowded, misplace, or blocked out teeth
  • Thumb-sucking
  • Jaws that are too forward or back
  • Breathing constantly through the mouth
  • Chewing or biting difficulty
  • An unbalanced facial appearance

If your child is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, call our Wakefield office at (401) 783-9890 or our Westerly office at (401) 596-2264 to schedule an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can any dentist provide orthodontic care for children?
Why should my child consult with an orthodontist early?
When’s the best time for orthodontic treatment?

Can any dentist provide orthodontic care for children?

Ideally, a child’s first visit to a dentist should occur not long after their very first baby tooth begins to emerge. These early visits allow dentists to clean your child’s teeth and promote hygiene habits that’ll benefit them throughout their life. However, not every dentist will be equipped to identify signs of potential orthodontic issues.

An orthodontic specialist like Dr. DeQuattro can detect any problems with a child’s bite or tooth alignment before they become apparent. This allows for a treatment strategy to be planned out in advance and for corrective steps to be taken before symptoms progress. With prompt care, we’ll help ensure that your child grows into the beautiful straight smile that they deserve. 

Why should my child consult with an orthodontist early?

Early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment. Delaying an orthodontic consultation can lead to extended treatment times, cause potential problems to worsen, and perhaps limit results. Therefore, having your child visit an orthodontic specialist not long after they turn seven is important.

When’s the best time for orthodontic treatment?

As a general rule, children should be evaluated for symptoms of orthodontic issues before the age of seven. American Association of Orthodontics specialists has the skills and training to detect warning signs and can offer the best treatment at the right age. There’s usually an optimal time in your child’s life to achieve the best results, so you won’t regret getting an early consultation.

Help Protect a Lifetime of Smiles

With the care and expertise of Dr. DeQuattro and our dental team, your child can get the early orthodontic attention they need to achieve lasting oral health. If your child is nearing the age of seven, call our Wakefield office at (401) 783-9890 or our Westerly office at (401) 596-2264 to schedule an appointment. You can also request your appointment by scheduling your appointment below.

Our Wakefield dental practice is conveniently located near South Kingstown, Narragansett Pier, and many more surrounding areas, and our Westerly office is located near Charlestown Weekapaug, RI, and Stonington, CT. We can’t wait to see you and help your child get on the right track for long-lasting optimal oral health.

Request Your Consultation

Call us today at
(401) 783-9890 or (401) 596-2264
or complete the form below.

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