Orthodontics for Children

While there is no exact age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends having an orthodontic evaluation around age seven.

By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, making it easier for the dentist to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without surgery.

Early treatment allows your dentist to:

• Correct and guide the growth of your child's jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
• Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
• Create more space for crowded teeth
• Possibly avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
• Correct thumb-sucking and help improve minor speech problems

Here are a few things to look for that may mean your child needs orthodontic treatment:

• Early/late loss of baby teeth
• Your child has a hard time chewing or biting food
• Mouth breathing
• Finger or thumb sucking
• Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
• Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
• Teeth that come together abnormally or do not come together at all
• Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
• Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight

Please contact our practice to schedule an orthodontic evaluation for your child. Early treatment now will give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for the future.