Orthodontics for Children in Oregon
At Yenne & Schofield Orthodontics, we provide expert orthodontic care for children in Salem, West Salem, Keizer, and Dallas, Oregon.
When to Visit a Pediatric Orthodontist in Oregon
Early orthodontic evaluations help detect potential issues and guide jaw and tooth development for a healthier, more confident smile. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that kids see a pediatric orthodontist for an initial check-up no later than age seven.
During your child’s free evaluation, our Oregon pediatric orthodontic team will assess their development and identify any early signs of orthodontic concerns. By age seven, enough permanent teeth have emerged to detect subtle problems, even while baby teeth are still present. Remember that early orthodontic evaluation doesn’t always mean early treatment or a need for kids’ braces. Sometimes, everything is developing normally, and no immediate action is needed.
In other cases, we may recommend that our Salem, West Salem, Dallas, or Keizer pediatric orthodontists monitor your child’s growth over the next few years to begin orthodontic treatment at the right time. If issues like crowding, spacing, or jaw misalignment are present, early orthodontic care, such as braces for kids, a palatal expander, or another orthodontic appliance, may help prevent more complex problems later in life.
When Should Kids Get Braces in Oregon?
While the age at which kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between 9 and 14 years old. Some orthodontic issues, such as misalignment, are easier to correct if treated early with kids’ braces.
If our pediatric orthodontists in Oregon think your child will need orthodontics, they will let you know when it will be best to begin treatment. This gives your Oregon kid’s orthodontist the best chance to:
- Guide jaw growth
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child
- Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips, and face
Our kids’ braces in Salem, West Salem, Dallas, or Keizer, Oregon, can help your child achieve the straight, beautiful smile they deserve.
Signs Kids’ Braces May Be Necessary
It’s not always easy to tell when your child may need kids’ braces or has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problematic bite. Here are some clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Breathing through the mouth
- Thumb-sucking
- Crowded, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
- Jaws that are too far forward or back
- Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
- Protruding teeth
- Upper and lower teeth that don’t meet, or meet in an abnormal way
- An unbalanced facial appearance
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth
Book Your Child’s Free Orthodontic Evaluation in Salem, Dallas, or Keizer
Give your child the best start to a healthy, confident smile with expert pediatric orthodontics in Oregon. Early evaluations help prevent future dental issues and support proper jaw and tooth development.
Schedule a free consultation with our children’s orthodontists in Salem, West Salem, Dallas, or Keizer, Oregon, to discuss your child’s orthodontic needs. We’ll create a personalized treatment plan to help your child achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.