While there is no exact age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, the Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends a visit to the orthodontist around age seven.
By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, which makes it easier for the orthodontist to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without surgery.
Early treatment allows your Orthodontist 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
- Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
- Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems
Signs 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
Early treatment now will give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for the future
We know that the thought of seeing a dentist or orthodontist as a child can be worrisome. Our team loves working with kids and takes the time to ensure that every patient feels comfortable and leaves our office empowered.