We recommend that children get their first orthodontic check-up either at the age of 7, or at the first sign of an early orthodontic problem — even if your child is younger than 7 years old. The earlier we are able to diagnose whether a problem is developing, the better you will be able to plan for treatment options for your family, whether it be braces or something else.
Seven feels early. Most children that age still have a mouthful of baby teeth. That is exactly why it works: there are enough permanent teeth to see where things are heading, and enough growth left to influence it. Jaw problems in particular are far easier to guide than to correct, and the window for guiding them does not stay open.
Early warning signs
According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), there are a few early warning signs that could indicate your child might benefit from early orthodontic treatment. If your child is experiencing any of these, schedule a check-up with us. We are here to help.
- Early or late loss of baby teeth may create issues for the permanent teeth that are supposed to replace them. Most children start losing teeth around five and have their permanent set by about thirteen.
- Pain or difficulty biting or chewing could indicate that there are underlying issues. Eating should not hurt — especially not after the initial teething stage.
- Mouth breathing causes orthodontic problems, developed because of the pattern that mouth breathing requires.
- Jaw shifting or jaw pain are often due to a bite problem that can develop into more severe dental issues.
- Cheek biting may be a sign of a crossbite, and often occurs together with difficulty chewing and eating.
- Facial imbalance is typically caused by the teeth and the jaws.
- Thumb sucking continuing past about five, or crowded front teeth at seven or eight, are also worth mentioning.
Many of these early signs have the potential to create larger, or more severe, issues later in your child’s life. Our team is dedicated to working with you to catch and treat these early signs with a custom treatment plan, before they have a chance to grow into something more harmful.
“Nothing yet” is a real answer
This is the outcome we give most often at this age. Most children who come in at seven do not need treatment, and we will say so. What the visit gives you is a baseline and a plan for when to check again, so the problems that do benefit from early intervention are caught while they are simplest to guide. See two-phase treatment for how a first phase and a later phase fit together.
Every age, not just seven
Orthodontic treatment is not only for children. Anyone with healthy teeth and gums can be treated at any age, and it is never too late to improve your smile — see for all ages.
Reach out to us today, or visit us at our office in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Request a call back or call (212) 966-9628. Let’s start your child’s journey together.