By EKalman February 21, 2025 - 1:06am

Many parents take their children to the pediatric dentist but are unsure when to see an orthodontist. Although there is no specific appropriate moment, there are several signs that it may be now.

As a parent, you always want the best for your child, which includes understanding the warning signals and knowing when to seek help. Taking preventative efforts rather than making retroactive changes will save your child from several dental, orthodontic, and general health operations down the road. These five recommendations help you understand when kids' orthodontics may be a good option.

1. Your Child Just Turned Seven Years Old
Depending on their tooth growth, your kid may begin to lose baby teeth between the ages of 5 and 6. Shortly after this, you may notice the sprouting of several permanent teeth. This period of your child's growth is especially important in their smiling journey.

The American Association of Orthodontists advises that your kid be assessed by an orthodontist between the ages of 7 and 8. This may appear to be a very young age, however, issues such as jaw alignment and crowding can be discovered and avoided rather than treated later.

2. Your Child's Teeth Are Gapping or Overlapping
Highly crowded and highly spaced-out teeth are frequent orthodontic concerns. If you find your child has one of these issues early on, it is better to be proactive and devise a treatment plan before the spacing or crowding becomes a serious problem.

A crowded mouth can make teeth more difficult to clean, increasing the risk of dental decay. Ultimately, this raises the risk of gum disease. Too much space in your mouth may appear to be a minor concern, but it can lead to gum problems since your teeth provide less protection.

3. Your Child Has a Noticeable Underbite, Overbite, or Any Other Irregular Bite
An overbite occurs when the upper teeth protrude in front of the lower teeth. Most people have a slight overbite, but this misalignment can result in tooth decay, jaw discomfort, severe headaches, difficulty opening and shutting your mouth, difficulty sleeping, pain when eating, and even difficulties speaking.

An underbite is the inverse, although less frequent. This might happen if your lower jaw protrudes more than usual. Underbites can create many of the same issues as overbites, although they are frequently the result of childhood practices. Common reasons for an underbite include thumb sucking, using a pacifier, pushing on your teeth with your tongue, and long-term bottle feeding.

4. Your Child Is Mouth Breathing
Although this indication may not appear to be an evident orthodontic problem, mouth breathing can cause significant harm. If your kid is continually breathing abnormally, with air flowing directly into the lungs rather than via the nose, now is a good time to arrange an appointment with your orthodontist.

Mouth breathing can cause abnormal facial development, recurrent ear infections, sleep disruptions, upper airway infections, and malformed jawbones, all of which can lead to additional orthodontic issues. This behavior may become persistent and difficult to change as your child grows older, so it is critical to address it at a young age.

5. Your Child Is Never Too Old to Visit the Orthodontist
Braces, Invisalign, and other orthodontic procedures benefit people of all ages. If your child has already reached the age of seven, don't panic; you may book an appointment at any time. The primary distinction between younger and older patients is that children and teens' jawbones are still developing. Being proactive and arranging checkups for your children while they are still young helps reduce the need for surgery to straighten their jawbones; nevertheless, it is never too late to investigate your treatment choices.