Ortho for All Ages > Children
Children | Adolescent | Adults
Early Treatment
What Is The Ideal Age To See An Orthodontist?
- The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children be evaluated at age 7, or younger if a problem is noted.
- This enables the orthodontist to guide your child's jaw and teeth during their most active growing stages.
- Research has shown that facial development can be most affected between the ages of 7 and 11.
Look for these early warning signs:
Crowding: If there is no space between the baby teeth, then there will not be enough room for the permanent teeth. Baby teeth or permanent teeth are crowded or overlapped.
Spacing: Noticeably large gaps between the teeth.
Upper Dental Protrusion: The top teeth stick out too far ("buck teeth"). Most common orthodontic problem and easier to correct if treated early.
Deep Bite: The upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth too much and the lower front teeth are barely visible.
Underbite: The lower front teeth stick out further than the upper front teeth.
Open Bite: The front teeth do not touch when the back teeth are touching.
Cross Bite: An upper tooth fits inside a lower tooth or the upper back teeth are narrower than the lower teeth.
Midline Discrepancy: The midline of the upper teeth does not line up with the midline of the lower teeth.
These Behaviors May Also Warrant Early Orthodontic Treatment:
- Grinding of teeth
- Popping or clicking of the jaws or any difficulty chewing
- Breathing with an open mouth
- Habits which involve placing fingers or objects in the mouth
- Difficulty closing lips over teeth (when child smiles they appear to show too much gum)
Early Treatment Can Prevent:
- Crowding and the extraction of permanent teeth
- Surgery to correct jaw malalignments
- Unsightly facial imbalance
- Braces at an older age
- Poor self-esteem resulting from crooked teeth