Why It's Important To See An Orthodontist

Why It's Important To See An Orthodontist
Posted on 12/18/2017

Girl with braces at her orthodontic appointment

As your orthodontist proudly servicing the areas in and around Dothan and Enterprise, it’s probably not a major shock for you to hear that we at McClimans Orthodontics encourage you to visit the orthodontist! Having said that, orthodontics truly does provide many valuable benefits to patients of all ages. We recommend that all children visit the orthodontist at a young age, though if you’re unsatisfied with your smile at any age, we think that you should consider stopping by sometime as well.


When Should a Child First Visit the Orthodontist?

The common recommendation for when to visit the orthodontist is at the age of seven. This age is when the adult molars erupt, allowing an orthodontist to get a clear picture of the side-to-side and front-to-back relationships of the teeth. This is typically the earliest possible time that an orthodontist can get a full picture of a patient’s orthodontic health and determine if he or she has any orthodontic problems, such as an open bite, overbite, or crowding.

The earliest time to detect these problems is also the best time to detect these problems. This is because orthodontic problems are much easier to correct if treatment starts before the period of growth is completed. Early treatment can prevent the need for tooth extractions or more complex oral surgeries that may be needed later on if the problem is left untreated.

We actually highly recommend taking your child to visit the orthodontist during this time of the year. As children have had time to get acclimated to the school schedule and things aren’t as hectic as they are at the beginning of the school year, it’s easier to get adjusted to the changes that a patient will need to make while wearing braces. This can include paying extra attention to avoiding potentially harmful food and spending additional time on an effective oral hygiene regimen. As an added bonus, winter break is just around the corner for children that would prefer getting adjusted to their orthodontics while there’s a break from school.


It’s Not Just for Children Either!

While many people may more commonly associate braces and orthodontics with children and teenagers, the truth is that orthodontic treatment isn’t just for them – it’s just as much for adults as well. In fact, about one-quarter of patients who visit the orthodontist and undergo orthodontic treatment are actually adults. With the invention and popularization of some great and discreet adult orthodontic treatments, such as ceramic braces and Invisalign, adults have realized that they too can gain all of the benefits of orthodontic treatment while still maintaining their professional appearance.


The Advantages of Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment can be incredibly beneficial for patients for many reasons. These include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

  • Orthodontics, such as braces and Invisalign, can give a patient a straighter smile.
  • Orthodontic treatment can also correct many orthodontic problems, including overbites, underbites, open bites, crossbites, crowding, and spacing, which will give patients healthier smiles.
  • Straight teeth are also easier to clean, which will make your oral hygiene regimen much more effective.
  • Having a healthy smile will also lead to healthier overall wellness. A person’s oral health has a major effect on the rest of the body’s health so by keeping your mouth healthy, the rest of your body has a better chance of being healthy.
  • A straight and beautiful smile will often make a person feel more confident in social settings.

Visit Your Dothan and Enterprise Orthodontist Today!

If you’re interested in braces, Invisalign, or any of our other exceptional orthodontic treatments, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us. You can do so by filling out our online appointment request form or by giving us a call at one of our two convenient locations. Our Dothan office phone number is (334) 678-0096 and our Enterprise office phone number is (334) 308-9220. We can’t wait to see you and help you attain a healthier smile!