The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic check-up when an orthodontic problem is first recognized and no later than age 7.
Around this age, children typically have a combination of baby and permanent teeth. That gives us an opportunity to look beyond whether the teeth appear straight and evaluate how the permanent teeth are erupting, how the upper and lower jaws fit together, whether there is adequate space for developing teeth, and how the bite and facial structures are developing.
We also ask parents about things they may be noticing outside of the smile itself, such as mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep, difficulty keeping the lips comfortably closed, prolonged oral habits, or concerns about chewing.
These observations can provide useful context. They don’t necessarily mean your child has an orthodontic or airway problem, but they’re worth discussing as part of a comprehensive evaluation.
And if you notice something concerning before age 7, you don’t need to wait for a particular birthday to ask an orthodontist about it.
Source: American Association of Orthodontists, guidance on the timing of a first orthodontic check-up.
Every child’s development is different. If something here sounds familiar, the next step isn’t braces. It’s a conversation with Dr. Sharp.
