When Should Your Child See an Orthodontist? Why Age 7 Matters

As a parent, you may wonder when your child should first see an orthodontist. Should you wait until all of their adult teeth have come in? Should you wait until your dentist recommends a referral? Or is there an ideal age for an orthodontic check-up?

According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), children should have their first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. This does not mean that every 7-year-old needs braces. In many cases, an early visit is simply an opportunity to check how the teeth and jaws are developing and determine whether treatment is needed now, later, or not at all. ^[1]

Why is age 7 an important time for an orthodontic check-up?

Around age 7, many children have a combination of baby teeth and permanent teeth. By this age, many children have enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to evaluate how the teeth and jaws are developing, including subtle issues that might not be obvious at home. ^[1]

At this stage, an orthodontist may be able to identify developing issues involving:

• Crowding or lack of space for permanent teeth
• Crossbite
• Underbite
• Overbite
• Teeth that are erupting in an unusual position
• Significant spacing
• Problems with jaw development
• Early or delayed loss of baby teeth

Some orthodontic problems are easier to address while a child is still growing. An early evaluation gives the orthodontist an opportunity to determine whether intervention could be helpful and, if so, when treatment should begin. ^[1][2]

Does seeing an orthodontist at age 7 mean my child needs braces?

No.

This is one of the most important things parents should understand about an early orthodontic evaluation. An orthodontic check-up and starting orthodontic treatment are two different things.

After evaluating your child's teeth and jaw development, an orthodontist may determine that:

1. No orthodontic treatment is currently needed.
2. Your child should be monitored as their teeth and jaws continue to develop.
3. Treatment would be beneficial now or at a later stage.

The AAO notes that not every early visit leads to treatment: some children can wait until most or all of their permanent teeth have come in, while others may benefit from starting earlier. In many situations, the appropriate approach is simply to monitor growth and development and begin treatment when the timing is right. ^[1]

What can an orthodontist see at age 7?

An orthodontic evaluation looks beyond whether the front teeth appear straight. An orthodontist evaluates how the teeth fit together, how permanent teeth are developing and how the jaws are growing.

Depending on your child's individual situation, the evaluation may help identify issues such as crowding, crossbite, underbite, unusual tooth eruption or insufficient space for permanent teeth. ^[1][2]

The Canadian Dental Association also notes that some orthodontic problems may benefit from treatment before all permanent teeth have erupted. ^[2]

What are some signs that your child may benefit from an orthodontic evaluation?

Age 7 is an important general milestone, but parents do not need to wait until a child turns 7 if they notice a concern. Some signs that may warrant an orthodontic evaluation include:

• Difficulty biting or chewing
• Teeth that appear crowded or severely rotated
• Teeth that protrude significantly
• A noticeable underbite, overbite or crossbite
• The jaw shifting when your child bites
• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Permanent teeth that appear to be erupting in an unusual position
• Frequent cheek biting
• Difficulty keeping crowded teeth clean
• A noticeable difference in the way the upper and lower jaws fit together

These signs do not necessarily mean your child needs orthodontic treatment. They are simply reasons to have the child's dental and jaw development evaluated by a qualified professional. ^[1][2]

What if my child is younger than 7?

You do not have to wait until age 7 if you have a concern.

The AAO recommends an orthodontic check-up by age 7, but also advises parents to seek an evaluation earlier when an orthodontic problem is noticed. ^[1]

Your child's dentist may identify a concern during a regular dental examination, but parents can also notice changes at home. If something doesn't look or function as it should, it is reasonable to ask an orthodontist for an evaluation.

What if my child is already older than 7?

It is not too late.

If your child is 8, 10, 12, 14 or older and has never had an orthodontic evaluation, there is no reason to assume that you have missed the opportunity. The AAO notes that it is never too late for teens and adults to benefit from orthodontic treatment. Treatment timing depends on the child's individual dental development, growth and orthodontic needs. ^[1]

Orthodontic treatment is also not limited to children and teenagers. The Canadian Dental Association notes that people of any age can benefit from orthodontic treatment. ^[2]

What happens during the first orthodontic visit?

The first visit is an opportunity to understand your child's individual situation. Depending on the practice and your child's needs, the orthodontist may examine:

• Tooth alignment
• Bite relationship
• Jaw development
• Eruption of permanent teeth
• Available space for developing teeth
• Overall dental and facial development

The goal is to determine whether an orthodontic concern exists and, if one does, what the appropriate next step should be. That next step may be treatment, observation, or simply reassurance that your child's development is progressing appropriately.

Do I need a referral from my dentist?

Not necessarily. The AAO states that parents do not have to wait for a dentist referral to schedule an orthodontic check-up. ^[1]

Of course, your child's dentist remains an important part of their overall oral-health care, and communication between your dentist and orthodontist can be valuable when orthodontic treatment is being considered.

Why early evaluation can be valuable

The purpose of an early orthodontic visit isn't to put braces on a child as soon as possible. It is about understanding what is happening while the teeth, jaws and face are still developing.

Sometimes the best recommendation is to wait. Sometimes an orthodontist may recommend monitoring your child's development over time. And in some cases, early treatment may be beneficial because a developing problem can be addressed while a child is still growing. ^[1][2]

The important thing is having the information needed to make an informed decision about timing.

When should you schedule an orthodontic check-up?

The AAO recommends that children have their first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. ^[1]

If your child is younger than 7 and you have noticed a concern, you do not need to wait. And if your child is already older than 7, it is not too late to schedule an evaluation.

Every child develops differently, so the right time for treatment depends on the individual child, not simply their age.

Give your child's smile a head start

If you are wondering whether your child's teeth and jaws are developing normally, an orthodontic evaluation can give you answers and help you understand what, if anything, should happen next.

At Embrace Orthodontics Manitoba, we welcome children, teens and adults and can help you understand your orthodontic options.

Have questions about your child's developing smile? Schedule a consultation with Embrace Orthodontics Manitoba to learn more.

This article is intended for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for an individual examination or professional medical or dental advice.