On the occasion of the launch of its prevention campaign, this Thursday, October 16, the French Federation of Orthodontics (FFO) reminds that a particular age would represent the “right time” to check your child’s teeth.
At what age should you go to an orthodontist?
According to the French Federation of Orthodontics (FFO), the ideal age for the first consultation… is around 6 years old.
“In fact, it is around the age of 6, when the first permanent molars appear, that the orthodontist can identify the first signs of imbalance: jaw too narrow, poor alignment of the teeth, breathing problems or chewing difficulties”, affirms the organization.
This transition period, between the loss of milk teeth and the arrival of permanent teeth, would indeed constitute a key phase in oral development. “At this age, bone structures are still malleable, which makes it easier to correct certain growth abnormalities or modify oral habits such as thumb sucking,” specify the experts.
In addition, this early diagnosis would not necessarily lead to immediate treatment: simple monitoring of the teeth could be sufficient. But when necessary, an interceptive treatment – for example a removable device or a fixed device at the level of the palate – can be put in place in order to support growth and avoid the appearance of more significant imbalances.
© French Federation of Orthodontics
“At 6 years old I went to the orthodontist”
The objective of this early detection therefore has a preventive dimension: “it aims to facilitate possible subsequent treatments, to make them shorter and less restrictive, while promoting harmonious development of the jaw and face”, underlines the Federation.
Too often, parents consult when the problems are already present.
“However, from the age of 6, a simple treatment can be enough to avoid long and restrictive treatments. Later, growth and then puberty can fix malocclusions not treated beforehand, which will then be more difficult to resolve.confirms Dr. David Couchat, qualified specialist in orthodontics, President of the FFO Communication Commission.
Thanks to this appointment, many problems can be corrected
According to a study carried out by OpinionWay for the French Federation of Orthodontics, the French often wait too long to take their children to the orthodontist… Even though this specialty could correct many everyday problems.
- Breathe better – “by correcting ventilatory disorders or sleep apnea, often the cause of fatigue, difficulty concentrating and snoring. Poor positioning of the jaws can hinder nasal breathing and encourage mouth breathing, which can lead to repeated ENT infections or sleep disorders in adolescence and adulthood”;
- Eat better – “by restoring effective chewing: chewing food correctly, with well-aligned teeth and a jaw that works in a balanced manner. It not only allows for better digestion, but also healthy oral development”;
- grow better – “by supporting the growth of the face and jaws, to prevent postural imbalances and long-term functional disorders”;
- express yourself better – “by correcting malocclusions likely to alter phonation and the articulation of sounds. Good coordination between the jaws, tongue and teeth promotes fluid and precise speech.”
So you will have understood: to preserve the health of little ones, prevention once again remains the key.