Parents often wonder when they should take their child for the first orthodontic examination and when is actually the right time for a child to wear an orthodontic appliance for children.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that a child has their first orthodontic examination at the age of 7. Permanent teeth begin to erupt at the age of 6, and at that time the first signs of orthodontic problems can already be detected, allowing an assessment of whether orthodontic treatment, i.e. an orthodontic appliance, is needed at that time or later.

Certainly, some orthodontic irregularities need to be treated already during childhood because otherwise a fixed orthodontic appliance later may not be able to correct them perfectly. It is important to note that children who start orthodontic treatment at an early age often still need fixed braces at an older age, but in that case the treatment is simpler and shorter.

Children’s orthodontics shows that one of the problems that needs to be addressed at an early age is “tongue thrusting” or infantile swallowing. In babies, it is normal for the tongue to be in contact with the upper lip during swallowing. With the eruption of teeth, children should adopt a mature swallowing pattern in which the tongue rests against the palate. Children who do not develop this pattern often have protruding teeth and frequently experience problems pronouncing the “S” sound. This problem should be corrected with an orthodontic appliance as early as possible.

There are many orthodontic appliances for children that can quickly and successfully correct this problem, and the most important thing is to start treatment early enough when this harmful habit can still be corrected. There are also orthodontic appliances for other childhood orthodontic irregularities, and they are mostly removable. Fixed orthodontic appliances are used only when a child has almost all or all permanent teeth.

At the Dental Estetic Studio dental clinic, all orthodontic treatments are performed by Professor of Orthodontics Senka Meštrović, one of the most renowned and highly educated specialists in this field in Croatia, with extensive experience in both children’s orthodontics and adult orthodontics, meaning orthodontic treatment at any age.