Your child should have their first orthodontic check-up by age 7, or sooner if you have concerns about their teeth, bite, or jaw development. That doesn’t mean your child will need braces. The visit gives us an opportunity to see how their smile is developing and whether anything needs attention now or should be watched as they grow.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have this first check-up no later than age 7.
Why Is Age 7 Recommended for the First Orthodontic Check-Up?
Around this age, children usually have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. This gives an orthodontist a useful look at how the teeth, bite, and jaws are developing before all of the permanent teeth have come in.
We can see how permanent teeth are beginning to emerge, how the upper and lower jaws relate to each other, and whether anything needs closer attention. From there, we can determine the right time to act.
Signs Your Child May Need an Orthodontic Evaluation
Some concerns are worth checking before your child reaches age 7.
Consider scheduling an orthodontic evaluation sooner when your child:
- Has difficulty biting or chewing
- Has crowded, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
- Loses baby teeth much earlier or later than expected
- Has teeth that don’t meet normally when biting
- Has a jaw that shifts noticeably when opening or closing
- Has a pronounced overbite, underbite, or crossbite
- Regularly breathes through their mouth
- Continues thumb or finger sucking as permanent teeth begin to come in
Mouth breathing can have different causes and doesn’t necessarily point to an orthodontic problem on its own. If you’re concerned about your child’s bite or jaw development, mention it during the evaluation.
Some orthodontic problems are easy for parents to notice, while others are harder to see without an examination. A child’s teeth can look straight from the outside even when their bite or jaw development needs a closer look.
When Thumb Sucking May Affect Your Child’s Bite
Thumb and finger sucking are common in babies and young children. As permanent teeth begin to come in, however, an ongoing sucking habit may start to affect their development.
Prolonged thumb or finger sucking can change the position of the front teeth and the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Your child’s pediatric dentist or orthodontist can help you understand whether the habit is affecting their smile.
An Early Evaluation Doesn’t Always Mean Early Treatment
There are a few possible outcomes after your child’s evaluation:
- No treatment is needed now. Your child’s teeth and bite may be developing normally.
- We keep an eye on their development. We may want to see how the jaws grow and permanent teeth come in before making a treatment decision.
- Early treatment may help. Certain orthodontic problems can benefit from being addressed while a child is still growing.
Monitoring gives us a baseline to compare with as your child develops rather than starting treatment before it’s necessary.
Treatment provided while a child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth is often called early or interceptive orthodontic treatment, or Phase 1 orthodontics. Not every child needs it. Problems involving the bite, jaw development, crowding, or space for permanent teeth are some of the reasons it may be considered.
You can learn more about early orthodontics in Carlsbad and when Phase 1 treatment may be appropriate.
Children who don’t need early treatment may still need orthodontic care later. The timing depends on how their teeth and jaws develop. Our guide to when kids may be ready for braces explains what parents can expect as their child gets older.
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit
Your child’s first visit gives us a clear picture of how their teeth and jaws are developing and what should happen next. Here’s what you can expect:
X-rays or 3D scans may also be taken when we need a clearer picture of tooth position and jaw structure.
Plan for about an hour for your child’s initial orthodontic consultation. The consultation is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I wait until all of my child’s baby teeth have fallen out?
Does my child need a referral from their pediatric dentist?
No. You can contact us directly to schedule an orthodontic consultation.
For children who already see us for pediatric dental care, having pediatric dentistry and orthodontics in the same office makes it easier for our team to coordinate their care. They can continue seeing their pediatric dentist while receiving orthodontic care from Dr. Dang without going to a separate practice.
How long does my child’s first orthodontic visit take?
What should we bring to the first orthodontic visit?
What happens if we wait too long to see an orthodontist?
Schedule Your Child’s Orthodontic Evaluation
Your child doesn’t need to have an obvious problem to benefit from an orthodontic check-up. Whether they’re nearing the recommended age or something about their teeth or bite has caught your attention, we can help you understand what’s going on.
At our office, care from a pediatric dentist in Carlsbad and orthodontic treatment are available in one place, making it easier for your child to receive coordinated care as their needs change. That’s part of what we mean when we say: “Your Child’s Dentist. Your Family’s Orthodontist”. Your child can stay with a familiar dental team as their smile grows, and orthodontic care is available here for the rest of the family, too.
Schedule a free orthodontic consultation with Dr. Dang. We’ll take a closer look, answer your questions, and explain what comes next.
