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What Age Should My Child See an Orthodontist?

Home » Blog » What Age Should My Child See an Orthodontist?

Many people think the correct age for a child to visit an orthodontist is in the preteen or teen years. However, this is a common misconception, and we will address why in hopes of providing clarity on the subject for you and your family.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends all children have an initial evaluation with an orthodontist at the age of 7. This may seem strange to you since children this age still have a number of baby teeth and a mouth that is still developing. But the point of the evaluation is not so we can put braces on your child at an early age. In fact, we only recommend orthodontic treatment in a handful of children we see at this age.

So what is the reason? This appointment is valuable to identify potential orthodontic issues or orthodontic issues that may already be present. By having our experienced orthodontic team examine your young child, these issues can be caught early, before they become problematic. This, in essence, is the reason for early evaluation. Let’s take a look at what we’ll examine during this initial assessment.

Tooth loss and eruption

Around age 6 or 7, you child should have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth as well as the first set of adult molars, appropriately nicknamed the “six-year-molars.” If your child has more or less than this, there’s a potential for problems regarding missing, crowding, or extra teeth. Sometimes removing a primary tooth early, or maintaining a space where a tooth has been lost prematurely, can prevent more serious problems down the road.

Baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, are the placeholders for permanent ones. The transition from primary to permanent is an important one, with most baby teeth falling out in a relatively specific order. If there’s any significant deviation from that pattern, it could signal a developmental issue that needs attention.

Crowding and spacing

young girl with missing tooth

In this initial evaluation, we will be able to tell if your child already has or will have problems with excessive crowding or spacing of the teeth. Spacing issues can show up when a tooth is lost prematurely, where one has never developed, or if your child has teeth that are too small or too spaced apart. Crowding, in most cases, can be treated by expanding the arches or removing teeth to open up the mouth.

Misalignment

We treat plenty of patients who are successfully able to have their teeth aligned at an older age. It’s important to note, however, that crooked teeth are more susceptible to uneven damage and wear. Allowing them to go untreated for years can affect the shape and position of the surrounding gum tissue, which compromises it. Correcting crooked teeth at an early age paves the way for healthier gums, a straighter smile, and has the added benefit of improving your child’s self-esteem.

Overbite or protrusive front teeth

While there are cosmetic concerns with front teeth that obviously protrude, there can be additional physical concerns, as well. Overbites can cause pain in the jaw, and even possible speech issues. Sometimes we need to wait to permanently correct an overbite until your child’s mouth has finished growing. However, we can help reduce the severity of the problem in the meantime.

Underbites

Underbites are generally caused by either tooth or jaw problems, and in more severe cases, the lower jaw grows too far forward. As with overbites, we’ll typically need to wait until your child has finished growing to finish the treatment. This usually happens around the age of sixteen. Even though there’s a waiting period involved, receiving early treatment is highly recommended. To avoid bite-shifting and damage to the front teeth, we’ll want to try to normalize the bite as much and as early as possible.

Underbite patients who receive early treatment between the ages of about 7 and 10 are much less likely to need jaw surgery at a later stage of development.

Posterior crossbites

A posterior crossbite is when the top back teeth bite down inside the bottom back teeth. It occurs when the top teeth or jaw are narrower than the bottom teeth and can happen on one or both sides of the mouth. A posterior crossbite can cause crowding and jaw shifting. If we are able to catch this in an early evaluation, we can work on expanding the upper jaw between the ages of about 7 and 10. This will reduce crowding, and create the kind of space needed for the front teeth to erupt. Expansion can also eliminate any shifting that’s present due to the upper jaw being constricted.

Anterior open bites and deep bites

An anterior open bite in one in which the front teeth fail to touch and there is not enough overlap. This can be caused by habits such as thumb-sucking or long-term pacifier use. With bites that are too deep, the top teeth completely cover the bottom ones, which could indicate a small lower jaw. These bite problems are recognizable by the time your child is around the age of 7, and in many cases, behavior modification can lead to self-correction when caught early.

Early treatment with Craig & Streight Orthodontics

group of children at school

Here at Craig & Streight Orthodontics, we’re big believers in preventative orthodontic care. By having our experienced orthodontic team examine your child around the age of 7, potential complications can be caught early which, in turn, can save you money and give your child the best opportunity for a healthy, beautiful smile. If you’re in the Norman, Mustang, or Oklahoma City areas, and have a child who is under or around 7 years old, get in touch with us today! Craig & Streight Orthodontics recognizes that the best dental and orthodontic care begins with world-class communication, and we specialize in making our patients feel right at home. To us, you’re more than just a patient – you’re family!

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Barbara F.
My only issue with today’s appointment was the 30 minute I had to be seen. Once I was called back, my hygienist was calm and considerate and showed me how to use my Invisalign.
John N.
Great place with excellent service for kids, but the wait was too long.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave us a great 5-star review!
Lillian Maxey (.
awesome staff! so sweet and helpful and had a great experience with my invisalign and them!
Response from the owner:Hi Lillie. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team made such a positive impact during your Invisalign journey. Your kind words motivate us to continue providing exceptional care. We look forward to seeing you again!
Ladan M.
We had a great experience. Professional and caring personnel and super amazing Dr. Straight made it an easy choice to work with.
Response from the owner:Hi Ladan. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team, including Dr. Streight, made such a positive impact. Your feedback inspires us to continue providing exceptional care. We look forward to seeing you again!
Kelly P.
Just started my fourth kid in treatment today. No where else we would go…from the front desk gals, fresh coffee for this tired momma, the hygienist, the dentists…it’s always been a great experience. Wonderful staff making amazing smiles!!!
Response from the owner:Hi Kelly. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family feel at home with us. Our team is dedicated to creating a positive environment, and it’s great to know that our efforts are making a difference. We look forward to continuing to support your family's journey to amazing smiles!
Artoya
Staff and the doctor were very friendly and they explained everything in detail.
Response from the owner:Hey Artoya. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that our team provided friendly service and thorough explanations. Your experience is important to us, and we appreciate you taking the time to share it!
David B.
Took my twin girls in for braces today and we had an amazing experience. The entire staff went out of their way to answer all of our questions and they were so sweet with the girls. The girls left with new braces and big smiles and I left with confidence in my desicion. I highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:Hi David. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that our team made such a positive impact on you and your daughters. It's great to know that everyone left with smiles and confidence. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to continuing to provide excellent care for your family!
Melissa M.
We love Craig & Streight! They have always been so friendly and helpful!
Response from the owner:Hi Melissa. Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We're so glad to hear that you love our team at Craig & Streight. Providing friendly and helpful service is our priority, and your kind words inspire us to keep delivering the best experience possible!
Chuck K.
I've had nothing but the best-ever experience at CSO; from check-in to the clinics, the staff is all one one page, professional and SO very friendly. They're living the corporate ethos, and it shows! If you need orthodontics, it's CSO for me from now on!
Tiffany R.
The greatest staff and doctors! They made a challenging situation so much easier. Huge hearts, professional and went above and beyond. I’m so appreciative.
Response from the owner:Hi Tiffany. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to make a challenging situation more manageable for you. Our staff is dedicated to providing compassionate and professional care, and it's heartwarming to know their efforts made a positive impact. We truly appreciate your kind words!
Vielje G.
Love the service, staffs are very friendly and approachable and always on point with their work.
Response from the owner:Hey Vielje. Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with our team. Providing friendly and attentive service is what we strive for, and your feedback truly motivates us to keep up the great work!
Kari C.
This is our second child receiving braces at Craig & Streight and we could not be happier. The staff is kind, efficient, and happy to answer all of our questions.
Response from the owner:Hi Kari. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family are so pleased with the care your children are receiving. Our team is dedicated to providing a supportive and informative environment, and it’s great to know that their efforts are making a positive impact. We appreciate your trust in us!
Michael T.
Everyone at the Mustang location is amazing... They are always polite and know exactly what they are supposed to do... Very professional... I have and will continue to refer people to use Craig and Streight Orthodontics...
Response from the owner:Hi Michael. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that our Mustang team has made such a positive impression on you. Your referrals mean a lot to us, and we’re dedicated to maintaining the high standards of professionalism and care that you’ve experienced. We appreciate your support!
Lacey C.
Friendly, explained everything well, felt very comfortable there. Had great games for the kids while waiting.
Response from the owner:Hi Lacey. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that you felt comfortable and that our team took the time to explain everything. It's great to know the kids enjoyed the games while waiting. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to seeing you again!
Sherree M.
We always have a good experience at Craig & Streight. The staff is always friendly and helpful. They make my son at ease and he loves to earn "punches" so he can get a prize after so many visits.
Response from the owner:Hi Sherree. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're delighted to hear that our team has made your visits enjoyable and that your son is having fun earning his prizes. We truly appreciate your feedback and look forward to continuing to provide a positive environment for you and your family!

Our locations

Norman Office

706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

Mustang Office

1476 N Mustang Rd
Mustang, OK 73064

South Oklahoma City

12100 S Western Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

1476 N. Mustang Rd.
Mustang, OK 73064
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