Children/Pediatric Orthodontics

Orthodontics for Children

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

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

Early treatment allows your orthodontist to:

  • Guide

    and correct 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

  • Avoid

    the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life

  • Correct

    thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems

For parents, it's not always easy to know if your child may need orthodontic treatment.

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

Here are a few things to look for that may mean your child needs to see an orthodontist:

  • Early or late loss of baby teeth

  • 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