When Should Your Child Visit an Orthodontist? A Parent’s Guide to Early Orthodontic Care
By Dr. Amanda Kramer
As a parent, it can be tricky to determine the right time to start thinking about your child’s orthodontic care. You may wonder, “When is too early? Or is it too late?” The good news is that there are clear signs and guidelines to help you make an informed decision, ensuring that your child’s smile remains healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Here’s a simple guide to help you understand when your child should first visit an orthodontist.
1. The Early Check-Up: Age 7
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7. This may seem young, but at this age, the dentist can assess how the teeth and jaws are developing and determine if any early intervention is needed.
Why age 7? By this time, children usually have a mix of baby and adult teeth, giving the orthodontist a clear picture of how the permanent teeth will come in and whether any issues (like crowding, spacing, or bite problems) are developing.
2. Signs Your Child Might Need an Early Visit
You don’t have to wait until age 7 if you notice signs that could indicate the need for an orthodontic evaluation. Keep an eye out for:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth: If your child is losing teeth much earlier or later than their peers, this can sometimes signal potential alignment issues.
- Difficulty chewing or biting: If your child is struggling with biting or chewing food, it could be due to a misaligned bite, which an orthodontist can address.
- Teeth that protrude or overlap: If your child’s teeth seem crowded, crooked, or pushed forward, this may be an indication that an orthodontic visit is needed.
- Mouth breathing: Breathing through the mouth rather than the nose could be a sign of bite issues, and it may affect the development of your child’s teeth and jaw.
- Sucking thumb or fingers beyond age 5: Prolonged thumb sucking can cause changes to the alignment of the teeth and jaw, potentially leading to orthodontic concerns.
3. The Benefits of Early Intervention
While not all children will need orthodontic treatment at a young age, early evaluation allows for the identification of potential problems before they become more serious. Some benefits of early intervention include:
- Guiding the growth of the jaw: Early treatment can guide the growth of the jaw and teeth, helping to correct problems such as crossbites, underbites, or overbites. This can create a better environment for the adult teeth to come in properly.
- Reducing the risk of more complex treatment later: By catching issues early, orthodontists can sometimes prevent the need for more extensive work, like extractions or complicated braces procedures.
- Enhancing self-esteem: Early treatment can help prevent more noticeable issues in the future, boosting your child’s confidence as they grow.
4. What Happens During the First Visit?
An initial orthodontic consultation is typically quick and non-invasive. During the visit, the orthodontist will:
- Evaluate your child’s teeth, bite, and jaw alignment.
- Discuss any concerns you may have noticed and assess their oral habits (like thumb sucking or mouth breathing).
- Take a panoramic X-ray of your child’s mouth to determine how all adult teeth are developing inside the bone.
- Take photos your child’s mouth, if necessary, to get a clear picture of their oral health and to explain
Based on the findings, the orthodontist will let you know if any early treatment is needed or if it’s best to wait and monitor your child’s development until they’re older.
5. When to Start Braces
In many cases, children will start traditional braces treatment between the ages of 9 and 14, when most of their adult teeth have come in. At this stage, the orthodontist can work on more complex issues like teeth alignment, bite correction, and crowding.
For some children, early treatment can help them avoid needing braces at all, while others may benefit from two-phase treatment, which involves an early phase to address specific issues that if left untreated could lead to problems with eruption of followed by braces once the child’s teeth are fully grown.
6. Why Should You Act Early?
Orthodontic treatment can be highly effective when started at the right time. Starting early helps your child’s smile develop in the healthiest way possible and can make the treatment process smoother, shorter, and more effective.
So, while there’s no need to rush to the orthodontist at the first sign of a loose tooth, staying ahead of any issues can ultimately help your child enjoy a confident, functional smile for a lifetime.
In Conclusion
It’s never too early to schedule an orthodontic consultation. Early visits can be essential in identifying any issues before they become more complicated—and more expensive—to treat later. If you’re wondering whether your child should see an orthodontist, take the first step today and schedule an evaluation at age 7 or sooner if any signs arise. That way, you’ll be well on your way to giving your child a healthy, beautiful smile!
Still unsure? Reach out to our office today, and we can help guide you through the next steps in your child’s orthodontic journey. After all, a healthy smile is a happy smile!
