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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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Patient Testimonials

Hear what Our Patients Are Saying About
Their Experience With Us

Jenifer G.
It was absolutely wonderful. Dr. Craig went above and beyond to make sure nothing was painful and they turned out wonderful.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive visit and that our team made your care comfortable and effective. Your feedback inspires us to continue providing exceptional service. We look forward to seeing you again!
Shelbey T.
I’m a pretty calm and low-maintenance person: I show up when I’m supposed to, I sit quietly, respond kindly, ask questions if I have any, etc. There are some places where it makes people uncomfortable and my experience is awkward, but that isn’t an issue here.

Staff are knowledgeable and kind, and they’re capable of appropriately communicating with a wide range of age groups. It’s a calm place, and I really appreciate that - not only for me but for any kiddos who might feel anxious about braces.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful feedback! We're delighted to hear that you found our environment calm and welcoming. It's wonderful to know that our team is effectively connecting with patients of all ages. Your insights motivate us to keep providing a supportive atmosphere for everyone. We look forward to your next visit!
Tina A.
I love the care I have been receiving at Craig and Streight Orthodontics!!! The Dr's are outstanding and the staff is amazing!!! I will recommend all of my friends and family for braces, invisalign, and/or whitening!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the positive feedback. We are honored to serve each and every one of our patients!
D S.
They are all very attentive and accommodating! Dr. Straight is AWESOME!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We appreciate your kind words about Dr. Streight. We look forward to seeing you again! :)
Phyllis E.
Currently, 3 generations under their care. Grandmother, mother, and two grandchildren. Very impressed.
Response from the owner:It’s fantastic to hear that multiple generations of your family are under our care. We truly appreciate your trust in us and are delighted to know that you’re impressed with our services. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Christine K.
I’ve had a great experience here and would highly recommend Craig & Streight to anyone!
Response from the owner:Hey Christine. We’re delighted to hear that you’ve had such a positive experience with us. Thank you for your recommendation; it truly means a lot to our team!
Tyler P.
Dr. Craig is wonderful! My son is now having his smile perfected by her. My teeth are still beautiful to this day, 21 years later, thanks to Dr. Craig! Her staff is wonderful and what an amazing facility. Thank you!
Response from the owner:Hi Tyler! We’re thrilled to hear about your positive experiences with Dr. Craig and our team. It’s wonderful to know that both you and your son are benefiting from our care. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback; it truly means a lot to us!
Dani S.
Dr Craig and her staff are always so kind and caring. They provided a way to communicate with them outside of regular hours in case of urgent matters and are quick to respond. I am also thrilled with the result and have the smile I have always wanted.
Response from the owner:Hi Dani. We’re glad you had such a positive experience during your recent appointment with our orthodontic practice. We are committed to serving our patients and your feedback helps us to continue to do so. Thanks!
Skyler K.
It was my first time here and the staff was extremely kind and informative. I went ahead and made the decision to get Invisalign here as an adult! Makayla was knowledgeable, kind and enjoyable to talk with, I feel confident in my Invisalign process. I recommend this place!
Kailee H.
They were so easy to work with. The staff was so amazing. I would recommend Craig and Streight to everyone.
Response from the owner:Thank you Kailee for your fantastic feedback! We're delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience with our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to serving you again!
Fernanda G.
I had a great experience, everyone was very nice, I’m excited to go back!
Response from the owner:Hey Fernanda. We’re glad you had such a positive experience during your recent appointment with our orthodontic practice. We are committed to serving our patients and your feedback helps us to continue to do so. Thanks!
Destiny M.
First experience with braces. The staff put us at ease and answered our questions
Response from the owner:Hi Destiny. Thanks for your positive review! It’s our goal to deliver a great patient experience every day.
Twyla C
Moved to OKC and called around a few places. Decided to go with Craig and Streight and glad I did. Myself and my son have braces. Everyone is super nice and we always have a great experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that you and your son are having a great experience with us. Our team is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment, and it’s fantastic to know you feel that way. If you ever have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Amanda C.
A great place! They give great service and look out for their customers!
Response from the owner:Hi Amanda. We’re delighted to hear you had a positive experience with our orthodontic practice. We appreciate you taking a moment to share your feedback with us.
Molly S.
All three of my kids have had braces with Craig and Streight. One is still in treatment as well as myself. We have never had any problems and love everyone we have had care for us!
My youngest got his off today and his smile is just beautiful!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words about us and our staff!

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
12100 S Western Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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