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Why Early Orthodontic Treatment Matters for Kids

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist by age 7—and for good reason. Early orthodontic treatment can guide growth, improve function, and prevent more serious issues later.

At Carr Orthodontics, we evaluate developing smiles in Chico, Orland, and Paradise to determine if early (Phase 1) treatment is beneficial.

Benefits of Early Treatment:

• Corrects jaw growth issues early
• Reduces crowding and bite problems
• May shorten or simplify future treatment
• Can eliminate the need for extractions later

Not every child needs early treatment—but early evaluation ensures nothing is missed.

? If you’re a parent in Butte County, schedule your child’s free orthodontic evaluation at www.carrorthochico.com.

Getting braces is exciting—but it does come with a short adjustment period. Patients getting braces in Butte County often ask how daily life will change, especially when it comes to eating and cleaning.

Eating with Braces

For the first few days, soft foods are your best friend. Think yogurt, pasta, smoothies, and soups. Avoid:

• Sticky foods (gum, caramel)
• Hard foods (ice, popcorn kernels)
• Crunchy snacks (chips, nuts)

Keeping Teeth Clean

Oral hygiene is extra important with braces. We recommend:

• Brushing after every meal
• Using floss threaders or water flossers
• Cleaning around brackets and wires carefully

Staying Comfortable

Some soreness is normal after adjustments, especially early on. This usually fades within a few days. Orthodontic wax, soft foods, and over-the-counter pain relief can help.

At Carr Orthodontics, we make sure every patient leaves confident and prepared for life with braces.

? Ready to start treatment with a Chico orthodontist who makes the process easy? Schedule your complimentary consultation at www.carrorthochico.com.

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve looked in the mirror recently and thought something like:

“Wait… were my teeth always like this?”
“Did my retainer shrink?”
“Is my smile… slowly rebelling?”

Take a deep breath.
At Carr Orthodontics in Chico, we see this every. single. week.

It’s called minor orthodontic relapse, and it happens to way more adults than you think. Retainers are amazing, but let’s be honest—they’re also tiny, easy to lose, easy to break, and easy to forget in a hotel bathroom, glove compartment, Chipotle napkin bag, or the mysterious void behind the nightstand.

Life happens. Teeth shift.
And here’s the good news: we can help.

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⭐ What Is Minor Orthodontic Relapse?

Minor orthodontic relapse refers to small shifts in tooth position after braces or Invisalign treatment. Typically, this includes:

• A little crowding
• Slight rotation
• Small gaps reappearing
• A tooth that looks just a bit out of alignment
• “My bite just feels slightly off” moments

These changes are often totally fixable—sometimes faster and easier than the first time around.

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⭐ We Get It—Wearing Retainers Isn’t Easy

Look, we’re orthodontists, not the retainer police.
We fully understand that:

• You were doing great for a year
• Then you forgot one night
• Then two
• Then your dog ate it
• Then your toddler hid it
• Then life took over

You are not alone. If retainer guilt were a club, half of Chico would be honorary members.

No shame. No judgment.
Just solutions.

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⭐ The Good News: Retreatment Can Be Extremely Fast

Here’s the part patients love hearing:

Most minor relapse cases can be corrected in as few as 10 weeks or fewer.

Yes—weeks, not years.

Because your teeth were already straight once, they usually move back quickly and predictably. Many of our Chico patients are shocked by how small the commitment can be.

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⭐ Retreatment Can Also Be Very Affordable

At Carr Orthodontics, we believe you shouldn’t have to “start over” financially just because your teeth shifted a bit.

That’s why we offer:

• Very low-cost retreatment options
• Short, flexible payment plans
• Affordable minor Invisalign touch-ups
• Budget-friendly braces for quick corrections
• Discounts for former Carr Orthodontics patients
• New retainers at a fraction of the cost of full treatment

We truly want this to be accessible.
But to give you a personalized estimate, we’ll need to see you for a quick exam.

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⭐ What Happens at Your Evaluation?

During your complimentary evaluation, Dr. Graydon Carr will:

• Take quick digital scans (no goopy molds!)
• Compare your current alignment to your original goals
• Identify what type of relapse you have
• Estimate how many weeks your retreatment will take
• Give you a clear price range
• Discuss which option works best for your lifestyle
• Help you choose between braces, clear aligners, or an express Invisalign touch-up

Most patients walk out relieved, confident, and excited to get their smile back where it belongs.

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⭐ Yes—We Can Often Restore Your Original Results

One of the biggest benefits of minor relapse retreatment is that we’re not reinventing your smile—we’re simply restoring it.

In many cases, we can:

• Reopen slight spacing
• Correct mild crowding
• Realign a rotated tooth
• Improve minor bite shifts
• Bring teeth back to their original, beautifully finished positions

And the best part?
We’re often able to do this incredibly quickly.

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⭐ We’re Here to Help—Not Judge

If your teeth have shifted—even just a little—you are NOT alone. Retainer life is tough. Nobody does it perfectly. Not even orthodontists (yes, we’re calling ourselves out).

Whether you finished braces:

• 6 months ago
• 6 years ago
• 16 years ago

We’re here to help you regain that confident “just-finished-treatment” smile you worked so hard for.

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⭐ Ready to Fix Minor Relapse? Schedule Your Evaluation

You deserve to love your smile again—and we’d love to help you get there.

Book your exam at Carr Orthodontics in Chico, and let Dr. Graydon Carr create a quick, affordable plan to get your teeth back on track.

✨ Fast
✨ Affordable
✨ Judgment-free
✨ And often corrected in 10 weeks or fewer

Your smile may have shifted, but the fix is easier than you think.

One of the most common questions parents in Chico ask us is:
“When should my child get braces?”

The answer may surprise you—it's earlier than most people think.

The Best Age for an Orthodontic Evaluation

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should have their first orthodontic evaluation at age 7.
Why so young? Because at age 7:

• Baby teeth and adult teeth are both present
• The jaw is still growing
• Early issues can be caught before they become bigger problems
• Orthodontists can guide jaw development when it matters most

This doesn’t mean every child gets braces at age 7, but it does allow Dr. Graydon Carr to monitor growth and intervene at the right time.

Signs Your Child May Need Braces

You may notice:

• Crowded or crooked teeth
• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Bite issues (overbite, underbite, crossbite)
• Teeth that don’t come together
• Mouth breathing
• Difficulty chewing

Even if everything looks “fine,” only a trained orthodontist can identify early jaw or bite concerns.

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment

Early treatment can:

• Reduce the need for extractions later
• Improve facial growth and symmetry
• Create space for adult teeth
• Prevent trauma to protruded front teeth
• Reduce treatment time as a teen
• Boost confidence during childhood

Why Chico Parents Trust Carr Orthodontics

At Carr Orthodontics, we offer:

• Complimentary growth-check visits
• Kid-friendly treatment options
• Clear braces, metal braces, and early expanders
• A warm, welcoming environment for families

We love watching Chico kids grow with confidence as their smiles develop.

Schedule Your Child’s First Orthodontic Check

If your child is around age seven—or you're noticing bite concerns—schedule a free evaluation at Carr Orthodontics. Early guidance leads to better smiles.