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Tuckahoe, NY – The lazy days of summer are the best time to relax, recharge, and enjoy a break from the classroom. But summer is also a good time to knock something off your family’s to-do list: starting orthodontic treatment. Dr. Sam Polan of Tuckahoe Family Orthodontics explains why the school break is the perfect opportunity to begin your child’s smile journey.

“Summer is one of the best times of the year to begin treatment,” says Dr. Sam Polan of Tuckahoe Family Orthodontics. “With school out, kids have the time to adjust to their new braces or aligners without the extra stress of a hectic school schedule, and parents have more flexibility to schedule those first few appointments.”

Here’s why summer is such a good time to get braces:

• More flexible scheduling. Without the whole school-day schedule to deal with, it’s easier to book that initial consultation and any follow-up appointments at a time that works for your family. No missed classes and no racing straight from school over to the orthodontic office.
• Time to adjust. The first days with new braces or aligners come with a bit of an adjustment period. Summer gives your child the time and comfort of home to get used to how their appliance feels, learn a new brushing and flossing routine, and settle in before heading back to the classroom.
• A confident start to the school year. Getting that first bit of soreness and the learning curve out of the way over the summer means your child can return to school already comfortable in their treatment and ready to focus on their friends and schoolwork, not their new braces.
• A head start on the timeline. Orthodontic treatment takes time, usually anywhere from a couple of months to a few years. Starting over the summer means you are that much closer to the finish line and the nice, healthy smile waiting at the end of it.
• Easier for busy families. Between homework, sports, and extracurriculars, the school year can get pretty crazy. Summer’s slower pace makes it easier to get good habits going and stay on top of your orthodontic appointments from the very start.

“We love welcoming new patients during the summer months,” says Dr. Polan. “It’s a great time to get started, and it sets our patients up for success. But no matter the season, our goal is always the same: to provide every patient of our practice with personalized care made to fit their very own smile.”

It’s also worth remembering that orthodontic treatment is about so much more than a straight smile. A properly aligned bite makes it easier to chew, bite and straighter teeth are easier to keep clean, which helps avoid future cavities and gum disease. Proper alignment also prevents the uneven wear and tear that can lead to chipping, cracking, and pricey restorative work down the road. Starting sooner simply means your child begins enjoying those lifelong benefits sooner, too.

And if you are not sure whether your child is ready, summer is a good time to find out. We recommend that children have their first orthodontic screening at around the age of 7, even if nothing appears to be wrong. Some issues aren’t easy to spot with the naked eye but are much easier to manage when they are caught early.

Summer goes fast. Schedule your child’s complimentary, obligation-free consultation today and get the most out of the school break. All it takes is a phone call to Tuckahoe Family Orthodontics at 914-654-1859.